HOTTEST (AVG)
in New Zealand
#9 / 9
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.
Queenstown offers distinct seasons, each with its own character and appeal for different types of travelers.
Today's Forecast
Plan your trip
Find the best dates. Understand the conditions. Pack with confidence.
Climate at a glance
The big-picture stats that matter for planning your visit to Queenstown.
Typical range
High / low
Average highs up to 19.4°C and lows down to 0.4°C.
Rain pattern
Wettest month
September averages 151 mm.
UV
Typical peak band
Typical peak UV is High.
Daylight
Seasonal range
Roughly 9 hrs to 16 hrs.
Wind
Typical strength
Average around 6 km/h, peaking in November.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
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.