The Top End wet season in Australia presents various hazards for pilots flying under visual flight rules (VFR).
Some of the challenges typical at this time of year are:
- poor visibility
- severe turbulence
- icing and lighting.
The wet season begins at the start of November and finishes at the end of April.
Across the Top End the average rainfall is 1200mm. Humidity increases and temperatures rise, ranging from 25C to 33C.
If you are flying across the Top End, it’s important to know what to do if the weather deteriorates during a flight.
View our wet season webinars and seminars on the CASA Briefing YouTube channel.
You can find of the list of industry experts under the description of each video on YouTube.
2025 Wet season operations seminar
Planned date: Wednesday 8 October 2025
Location: Novotel Darwin Airport
2023 Wet season operations webinar
Panellists discuss:
- how pilots can make better decisions when managing the hazards
- factors and lessons from a fatal accident involving a Van’s aircraft near Charters Towers
- resources to help you confidently manage risk and make good operational decisions.
Watch Top tips for flying in the wet season on YouTube.
Watch the 2023 Wet season webinar on YouTube.
Listen to the AvSafety podcast – wet season webinar.
2022 Wet season operations webinar
Panellists discuss:
- managing hazards while flying during the wet season
- weather patterns that pilots will encounter during wet season
- typical adverse weather behaviour signs to look for.
Watch the 2022 Wet season operations webinar on YouTube.
2021 Flying in the wet season seminar
Panellists discuss:
- operational hazards and decision-making in the challenging and dynamic wet season weather
- factors behind an incident involving a Cessna 210
- key aviation safety messages.