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, August and September - 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 | 65° | 49° | 4,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| February | 65° | 49° | 4,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 62° | 47° | 5,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| April | 58° | 45° | 3,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| May | 53° | 41° | 3,3 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| June | 50° | 37° | 4,6 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| July | 49° | 36° | 3,4 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| August | 50° | 36° | 4,8 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| September | 53° | 39° | 5,8 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| October | 56° | 42° | 6,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| November | 61° | 44° | 4,4 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| December | 64° | 48° | 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 | +33°F warmer | 64 in |
| Queenstown | 74 mi | 50°F | +33°F warmer | 64 in |
| Queenstown Airport | 77 mi | 50°F | about the same | 64 in |
| Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand | 94 mi | 53°F | +36°F warmer | 224 in |
| Wanaka | 105 mi | 52°F | +34°F warmer | 59 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
- Layers - the daily swing is 64°F, so mornings feel nothing like afternoons
- A warm mid-layer and gloves for early mornings and evenings
- A packable rain shell - 5 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- Avoid exposed ridgelines, small boats and rooftop viewpoints while gusts stay above 40 mph.
- If your dates are flexible, avoid June, August and September - 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 45°F (7°C) in Southland with drizzle. It feels like 39°F. Today runs from 41°F to 48°F. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sightseeing conditions score 5.6/10 - fair - plan around the weather.
The best time to visit Southland is January and February. The climate is temperate. June, August and September tend to be the least comfortable months. February is the warmest month with average highs near 65°F, while July is the coldest with lows near 36°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 cooler than average for October. The forecast high of 48°F is 7.2°F below the 56°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 7 AM to 10 AM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. fishing is the strongest bet in Southland today at 8.9/10. Gusts to 40 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Weather in Southland right now
Source: Open-Meteo. Updated 8:41 AM, Oct 29 local time.
Weekend outlook
🌦️ 58° / 38°
Light drizzle · 38% rain · wind 18 mph
🌦️ 64° / 49°
Light rain · 82% rain · wind 26 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 | 8:41 AM (UTC+13:00) |
| 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 45°F (7°C) with drizzle. Humidity is 93% and wind is 10 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, August and September are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Southland in?
Southland observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+13:00). The local time is 8:41 AM.
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 October 29, 2026 at 8:41 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
