Wanaka has a temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters.
Temperatures peak in January and drop to their lowest in July, while rainfall is highest during winter months.
Humidity remains high throughout the year creating cold and damp conditions.
| Month | 🌤️ | High | Low | Avg | Humid % | Rain (mm) | Wind (m/s) | Solar (kWh/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | ☔ | 22.2°C | 1.0°C | 11.6°C | 78% | 145 | 2.8 | 6.59 |
| February | ☔ | 21.6°C | 1.0°C | 11.3°C | 78% | 114 | 2.5 | 5.79 |
| March | ☔ | 19.6°C | -0.6°C | 9.5°C | 82% | 135 | 2.4 | 4.38 |
| April | ☔ | 15.9°C | -2.3°C | 6.8°C | 87% | 125 | 2.2 | 2.93 |
| May | ☔ | 12.3°C | -3.6°C | 4.4°C | 92% | 137 | 2.1 | 1.79 |
| June | ☔ | 8.5°C | -6.0°C | 1.2°C | 94% | 141 | 1.8 | 1.37 |
| July | ☔ | 6.7°C | -7.1°C | -0.2°C | 94% | 124 | 1.7 | 1.54 |
| August | ☔ | 9.1°C | -5.3°C | 1.9°C | 91% | 123 | 2.0 | 2.36 |
| September | ☔ | 12.4°C | -4.0°C | 4.2°C | 87% | 133 | 2.6 | 3.54 |
| October | 🌧️ | 15.7°C | -3.2°C | 6.2°C | 83% | 155 | 2.9 | 4.75 |
| November | ☔ | 18.1°C | -2.0°C | 8.1°C | 80% | 133 | 2.8 | 6.10 |
| December | 🌧️ | 20.0°C | -0.1°C | 10.0°C | 79% | 158 | 2.8 | 6.53 |
Showing average climate conditions across 45 years (1981–2025)
🧥 Expect frosty nights and below-freezing temperatures during this Cold Winter period.
🌤️ Conditions are ideal for outdoor activities throughout the day in this Mild Summer.
☔ Heavy Rainfall expected — carry rain gear and plan outdoor activities around these months.
Monthly averages · 1981–2025 climate normals · °C
Temperatures rise steadily from spring, peak in January, and gradually decline through autumn into winter.
These seasonal patterns make summer pleasant for travel, while winters can bring frost and occasional snowfall.
Monthly rainfall · 1981–2025 seasonal trends · mm/month
Monthly averages · 1981–2025
💧 Humidity peaks at 94% in June · annual avg 85%
The warmest year in Wanaka's recorded history was 2022 (avg: 7.5°C), while the coldest was 1995 (avg: 5.0°C).
Average annual high/low · Last 10 years · °C
Total annual precipitation · Last 10 years · mm/year
| Year | Min Temp | Avg Temp | Max Temp | Rainfall (mm) | Avg Humidity | Avg Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | -1.4°C | 7.1°C | 15.7°C | 1292 | 83% | 2.5 m/s |
2024 | -2.7°C | 6.3°C | 15.3°C | 1435 | 85% | 2.4 m/s |
2023 | -1.5°C | 7.3°C | 16.1°C | 1396 | 84% | 2.3 m/s |
2022 | -1.4°C | 7.5°C | 16.5°C | 1450 | 85% | 2.1 m/s |
2021 🔥 | -1.7°C | 7.4°C | 16.6°C | 1384 | 85% | 2.4 m/s |
2020 | -2.3°C | 6.9°C | 16.1°C | 1268 | 84% | 2.4 m/s |
2019 | -1.4°C | 7.5°C | 16.4°C | 1392 | 84% | 2.5 m/s |
2018 | -1.4°C | 7.5°C | 16.5°C | 1288 | 85% | 2.2 m/s |
2017 | -2.5°C | 6.6°C | 15.8°C | 1337 | 86% | 2.2 m/s |
2016 | -2.6°C | 6.5°C | 15.5°C | 1738 | 85% | 2.4 m/s |
Showing 1 to 10 of 45 years
Based on 45 years of data (1981–2025), January is typically the hottest month in Wanaka, Otago, with average high temperatures around 22.2°C.
July is the coldest month in Wanaka, with average low temperatures around -7.1°C.
December receives the most rainfall with approximately 158 mm, while February is the driest with 114 mm.
The highest recorded temperature was 27.4°C in February 1999. This is part of the historical record spanning 1981–2025.
The lowest recorded temperature was -13.4°C in August 2016.
This page covers 45 years of climate data from 1981 to 2025. As new data is added to the database the page automatically reflects the updated coverage.
Wanaka receives the most sunlight in January with an average solar radiation of 6.59 kWh/m²/day. This solar radiation data, sourced from NASA POWER, is useful for solar energy planning and agriculture in Otago.
All climate data is sourced from NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources), based on MERRA-2 satellite and model data. It provides monthly averages for temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation.
All weather data is sourced from NASA POWER (Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources), a NASA project providing solar and meteorological data for renewable energy, building efficiency, and agricultural research.
