Queenstown Weather, When to Go and Climate Information

(Queenstown, Otago, South Island, New Zealand)



Picture of summer cruise boatsBefore you plan your holiday to New Zealand and your visit to Queenstown in particular, do consider the climate extremes that present themselves through the year. The weather and seasons are reversed, since Queenstown is located in the Southern Hemisphere, and so therefore the summer months run between December and February, and winters are generally between June and August.

Summer highs of 22°C / 72°F or 23°C / 73°F can be expected in both January and February, with the climate of Queenstown being particularly pleasant by day. During the sunniest of times, it is certainly not unheard of for temperatures to exceed 30°C / 86°F, although this is by no means the norm. However, as the evening approaches, the temperatures soon drop and the evenings quickly take on a much cooler feel.


Additional cruise boat photo, showing mountainous backdrop

Seasonal Climate Variations / When to Go

Rain is fairly minimal season by season, with March tending to be the wettest month and seeing rainfall of around 80 mm / 3.1 inches.

July is the driest month in Queenstown, when precipitation levels stay at just 65 mm / 2.6 inches. However, much of the precipitation during the winter months comes in the form of snowy weather and the climate quickly changes as the skiing season approaches.

Queenstown Weather and Climate Chart (Averages)


Maximum
Minimum

January

22°C / 72°F
10°C / 50°F

February

23°C / 73°F
10°C / 50°F

March

20°C / 68°F
9°C / 48°F

April

16°C / 61°F
6°C / 43°F

May

12°C / 54°F
3°C / 37°F

June

9°C / 48°F
1°C / 34°F

July

8°C / 46°F
0°C / 32°F

August

10°C / 50°F
1°C / 34°F

September

13°C / 55°F
3°C / 37°F

October

16°C / 61°F
5°C / 41°F

November

18°C / 64°F
7°C / 45°F

December

21°C / 70°F
9°C / 48°F