Temperature range
Typical highs and lows
High19.4°C
Low0.4°C
The broad yearly range between warm daytime highs and the coolest overnight lows.
New Zealand Queenstown, New Zealand
The climate in Queenstown is temperate, with annual average temperatures spanning 5°C / 40°F during July up to 19°C / 67°F in January.
Annual rainfall patterns show an average of 119 mm / 4.7 inches per month, with September being the wettest (151 mm / 5.9 inches) and February the driest (96 mm / 3.8 inches).
UV peaks in December (index 9) and drops to its lowest in June (index 2); strong sun protection is essential during summer months.
Daylight hours range from about 8.8 hours in June to 15.5 hours in December.
Trip planning
Plan your trip
Find the best dates. Understand the conditions. Pack with confidence.
Climate overview
Climate at a glance
The big-picture stats that matter for planning your visit to Queenstown.
Rain pattern
Wettest point of the year
151 mm
September carries the highest typical rainfall load.
Sun exposure
Typical peak UV band
High (6.0)
A fast read on how strong midday sun typically gets across the year.
Daylight window
Seasonal daylight range
9 hrsto16 hrs
Useful for gauging how much sightseeing time you get in shorter versus longer seasons.
Wind profile
Typical breeze strength
6 km/h
November is typically the breeziest month.
Humidity
Typical moisture range
72 %to91 %
A quick signal for how dry, comfortable, or heavy the air tends to feel.
When should I go?
Our top-rated months for visiting Queenstown, based on long-term weather comfort and conditions
Typical weather by month
Compare all monthsTip: click on a card to see detailed daily weather averages for that month.
How Queenstown compares
See how it ranks against the rest of New Zealand for key metrics.
HOTTEST (AVG)
in New Zealand
#9 / 9
COOLEST (AVG)
in New Zealand
#1 / 9
WETTEST (TOTAL)
in New Zealand
#2 / 9
WINDIEST (AVG)
in New Zealand
#9 / 9
HIGHEST UV
in New Zealand
#7 / 9
MOST HUMID
in New Zealand
#2 / 9
Short term outlook
Visiting soon? Here's the next 7 days of weather for Queenstown, or see an hourly breakdown for the next 14 days.
Travel planning FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.
How does the weather in Queenstown feel over the year?
On a typical year, you can expect highs around 12°C (54°F) and lows near 6°C (43°F). Conditions usually feel cool in the daytime and cold once the sun goes down. It tends to be on the cloudier side, with fewer blue-sky days.
When is the best time to visit Queenstown for dry weather?
When is sun exposure strongest in Queenstown?
UV tends to peak in December, when UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 9), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.
Does it snow in Queenstown?
Yes. Snowfall is possible, and it peaks in September, when averages reach around 0.8 cm. Winters are when you're most likely to see snow on the ground.
Is Queenstown a windy place?
Across the year, average winds sit around 6 km/h (4 mph), with gusts on windier days up to about 76 km/h (47 mph). Overall it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.
How much daylight does Queenstown get?
On average, days offer about 12 hours of daylight. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.