Climate of Canterbury, New Zealand
Area-weighted average across Canterbury. For where people actually live and travel, see the cities below.
Canterbury, a subdivision of New Zealand, has a seasonal climate on average. Area-weighted monthly temperatures across the whole territory range from 2.6°C / 36.7°F in July to 14.3°C / 57.7°F in January, with rainfall from 84 mm / 3.3 in to 159 mm / 6.3 in depending on the season (1476 mm / 58.1 in total across the year). See the city listed below for point-value climate at specific locations — these often differ from the area-weighted average, especially in geographically diverse subdivisions.
| Month | Temperature | Rainfall | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14.3°C57.7°F | 119 mm4.7″ | — |
| February | 14.2°C57.6°F | 84 mm3.3″ | — |
| March | 12.5°C54.5°F | 113 mm4.4″ | — |
| April | 9.4°C48.9°F | 112 mm4.4″ | — |
| May | 5.9°C42.6°F | 128 mm5″ | — |
| June | 3.2°C37.8°F | 109 mm4.3″ | — |
| July | 2.6°C36.7°F | 124 mm4.9″ | — |
| August | 4°C39.2°F | 126 mm5″ | — |
| September | 6.3°C43.3°F | 149 mm5.9″ | — |
| October | 8.7°C47.7°F | 159 mm6.3″ | — |
| November | 10.7°C51.3°F | 125 mm4.9″ | — |
| December | 12.8°C55°F | 128 mm5″ | — |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Canterbury?
Canterbury, New Zealand does not have a clear sunny-and-dry window by our cutoffs. The warmest month is January at 14.3°C / 57.7°F, and the driest is February at 84 mm / 3.3 in — likely your best travel window. For city-level detail, see the cities section below.
What is the climate of Canterbury?
Canterbury, New Zealand has area-weighted monthly average temperatures ranging from 2.6°C / 36.7°F in July to 14.3°C / 57.7°F in January. Annual rainfall averages about 1476 mm / 58.1 in, with the wettest month being October (159 mm / 6.3 in) and the driest February (84 mm / 3.3 in). Because this is an area average across the whole subdivision, local city values can differ substantially.
What is the hottest month in Canterbury?
The hottest month in Canterbury is January, with an area-wide average temperature of 14.3°C / 57.7°F.
What is the coldest month in Canterbury?
The coldest month in Canterbury is July, with an area-wide average temperature of 2.6°C / 36.7°F.
When does it rain most in Canterbury?
The wettest month in Canterbury is October, averaging about 159 mm / 6.3 in of rainfall. The driest is February with about 84 mm / 3.3 in.