City in Canterbury, New Zealand
Christchurch weather by month and the best time to visit
When to go to Christchurch
Dec–Mar is sunny and mild; autumn is calm. Winter is cold, frosty and can be foggy; ski fields nearby open Jun–Sep.
Christchurch weather by month
Average daily high, rainfall and conditions.
- Jan24°67 mm
- Feb24°58 mm
- Mar21°61 mm
- Apr17°76 mm
- May14°79 mm
- Jun11°80 mm
- Jul10°73 mm
- Aug12°70 mm
- Sep14°57 mm
- Oct16°78 mm
- Nov19°68 mm
- Dec22°77 mm
Monthly averages
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°C75°F | 12°C53°F | 67 mm | 66% | Pleasant |
| February | 24°C74°F | 12°C53°F | 58 mm | 68% | Pleasant |
| March | 21°C70°F | 10°C50°F | 61 mm | 73% | Pleasant |
| April | 17°C63°F | 7°C45°F | 76 mm | 79% | Cool |
| May | 14°C57°F | 5°C42°F | 79 mm | 85% | Cool |
| June | 11°C51°F | 3°C38°F | 80 mm | 88% | Cold |
| July | 10°C50°F | 2°C36°F | 73 mm | 88% | Cold |
| August | 12°C53°F | 3°C38°F | 70 mm | 87% | Cool |
| September | 14°C58°F | 4°C40°F | 57 mm | 82% | Cool |
| October | 16°C62°F | 6°C43°F | 78 mm | 78% | Cool |
| November | 19°C67°F | 8°C46°F | 68 mm | 73% | Pleasant |
| December | 22°C72°F | 10°C51°F | 77 mm | 70% | Pleasant |
Best months across New Zealand
| Place | Best months | Warmest month |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | Dec–Mar | Feb (24°C) |
| Queenstown | Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar | Jan (20°C) |
| Wellington | Jan–Apr | Feb (19°C) |
| Christchurch | Dec–Mar | Jan (24°C) |
| Rotorua | Nov–Apr | Jan (23°C) |
| Wanaka | Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar | Jan (21°C) |
| Taupo | Nov–Apr | Jan (24°C) |
| Bay of Islands | Dec–Apr | Feb (24°C) |
| Milford Sound | Nov–Apr | Feb (16°C) |
| Lake Tekapo | Nov–Apr | Feb (22°C) |
| Coromandel | Dec–Apr | Feb (24°C) |
| Tauranga | Dec–Apr | Feb (23°C) |
| Dunedin | Dec–Mar | Jan (16°C) |
| Nelson | Dec–Apr | Feb (25°C) |
| Waiheke Island | Dec–Mar | Feb (24°C) |
| Kaikoura | Dec–Mar | Jan (20°C) |
| Franz Josef | Dec–Apr | Feb (19°C) |
Quick answers
What is the best month to visit Christchurch?
Dec–Mar. Dec–Mar is sunny and mild; autumn is calm. Winter is cold, frosty and can be foggy; ski fields nearby open Jun–Sep.
When is the rainy season in Christchurch?
Rain peaks in June with about 80 mm. No month averages 150 mm or more.
What is the hottest month in Christchurch?
January, with average highs of 24°C (75°F).
How cold does Christchurch get?
The coolest nights are in July, averaging 2°C (36°F).
More about Christchurch
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Sources
- NASA POWER climatology (2001–2020)
- Christchurch Airport
- Metro Christchurch (Environment Canterbury)
- ChristchurchNZ
Climate averages are modelled from NASA POWER (MERRA-2) for 2001–2020 at about 50 km resolution, so coasts and valleys can differ a little. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.