Best Time to Visit Southland
Best time to visit Southland: January and February. Month-by-month temperature, rainfall and crowd guidance.
Best time to visit Southland
Go in January and February. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: June, September and October - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
Climate in Southland month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 63° | 47° | 4,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| February | 64° | 47° | 4,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 61° | 45° | 5,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| April | 57° | 43° | 3,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| May | 52° | 39° | 3,3 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| June | 48° | 36° | 4,6 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| July | 47° | 34° | 3,3 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| August | 49° | 34° | 2,8 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| September | 52° | 38° | 7,4 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| October | 54° | 40° | 6,9 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| November | 59° | 42° | 4,4 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| December | 62° | 47° | 5,4 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
How Southland compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against Southland.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Wakatipu | 73 mi | 50°F | +34°F warmer | 65 in |
| Queenstown | 74 mi | 50°F | +34°F warmer | 65 in |
| Queenstown Airport | 77 mi | 50°F | +34°F warmer | 65 in |
| Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand | 94 mi | 53°F | +37°F warmer | 222 in |
| Wanaka | 105 mi | 52°F | +35°F warmer | 60 in |
Best time to visit each national park in Southland
1 national parks mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit each attraction in Southland
1 attractions mapped in this atlas
What to pack, what to skip
- A warm mid-layer and gloves for early mornings and evenings
- A packable rain shell - 7 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- Avoid exposed ridgelines, small boats and rooftop viewpoints while gusts stay above 38 mph.
- If your dates are flexible, avoid June, September and October - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
Southland is a region in New Zealand. Southland is a region of New Zealand. It has a population of about 102.000.
Right now it is 53°F (12°C) in Southland with overcast. It feels like 43°F. Today runs from 42°F to 53°F. Chance of precipitation is 45%. Sightseeing conditions score 7.2/10 - good conditions.
The best time to visit Southland is January and February. The climate is temperate. June, September and October tend to be the least comfortable months. February is the warmest month with average highs near 64°F, while August is the coldest with lows near 34°F.
The closest major airport is Queenstown Airport (ZQN), about 77 mi away. Nearby highlights include Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Lake Wakatipu and Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand.
In plain terms. Today is slightly warmer than average for August. The forecast high of 53°F is 4.3°F above the 49°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 2 PM to 5 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. fishing is the strongest bet in Southland today at 8.1/10. Gusts to 38 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Weather in Southland right now
Wear sunglasses and use SPF 30+ if you are outside for long.
Source: Open-Meteo. Updated 1:32 PM, Aug 24 local time.
Weekend outlook
🌦️ 52° / 38°
Light drizzle · 60% rain · wind 19 mph
🌨️ 43° / 35°
Light snow showers · 86% rain · wind 16 mph
Things to do in Southland
Attractions, parks and landmarks in and around Southland.
Quick facts about Southland
| Type | Region |
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 46°0′0″S 168°0′0″E (-46, 168) |
| Population | 102.000 |
| Local time | 1:32 PM (UTC+12:00) |
| Best months | January and February |
| Climate | Temperate |
Explore Southland
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Best Time to Visit for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is Southland?
Southland is a region in New Zealand. Its coordinates are -46, 168. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in Southland right now?
It is currently 53°F (12°C) with overcast. Humidity is 64% and wind is 19 mph.
When is the best time to visit Southland?
January and February offer the most comfortable conditions in Southland, which has a temperate climate. June, September and October are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Southland in?
Southland observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+12:00). The local time is 1:32 PM.
How many people live in Southland?
Southland has a population of approximately 102.000.
What is the nearest airport to Southland?
The closest airports are Queenstown Airport (ZQN), 77 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Southland?
Popular options include Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Lake Wakatipu, Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand, South Island and Aoraki / Mount Cook.
What places are in Southland?
Southland covers 2 places in this atlas, including Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (nz-regions) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated August 24, 2026 at 1:32 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
