Christchurch Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Christchurch: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in Christchurch 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 | 68° | 55° | 3,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| February | 69° | 55° | 2,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 66° | 52° | 2,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
| April | 62° | 50° | 2,7 in | ★★★★☆ |
| May | 57° | 43° | 1,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| June | 54° | 42° | 3,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| July | 52° | 40° | 1,8 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| August | 53° | 39° | 1,3 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| September | 59° | 43° | 2,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 62° | 46° | 2,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| November | 66° | 51° | 1,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| December | 69° | 54° | 2,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in Christchurch
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How Christchurch compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against Christchurch.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaikoura | 94 mi | 55°F | +33°F warmer | 60 in |
| West Coast | 104 mi | 54°F | about the same | 117 in |
| South Island | 111 mi | 46°F | 40°F cooler | 60 in |
| Aoraki / Mount Cook | 125 mi | 12°F | 74°F cooler | 193 in |
| Tasman | 154 mi | 53°F | 34°F cooler | 55 in |
Best time to visit Christchurch
Go in January, February, March, November and December. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: June, July and August - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for Christchurch
Today is warmer than average for August. The forecast high of 62°F is 9.4°F above the 53°F typical for this month.
Rain is very unlikely today - plans do not need a backup.
Gusts to 32 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges.
Southern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in December to February.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 48°F.
What to pack, what to skip
- A warm mid-layer and gloves for early mornings and evenings
- A packable rain shell - 3 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- Avoid exposed ridgelines, small boats and rooftop viewpoints while gusts stay above 32 mph.
- If your dates are flexible, avoid June, July and August - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
Christchurch is a city in Canterbury. Christchurch is known for the Garden City and Banks Peninsula. It has a population of about 390.000.
Right now it is 61°F (16°C) in Christchurch with mainly clear. It feels like 57°F. Today runs from 39°F to 62°F. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Sightseeing conditions score 9.7/10 - excellent - go now.
The best time to visit Christchurch is January, February, March, November and December. The climate is temperate. June, July and August tend to be the least comfortable months. December is the warmest month with average highs near 69°F, while August is the coldest with lows near 39°F.
The closest major airport is Queenstown Airport (ZQN), about 218 mi away. Nearby highlights include South Island, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Lake Wakatipu and Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand.
In plain terms. Today is warmer than average for August. The forecast high of 62°F is 9.4°F above the 53°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 11 AM to 2 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. photography is the strongest bet in Christchurch today at 10/10. Gusts to 32 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.
Quick facts about Christchurch
| Type | City |
|---|---|
| Region | Canterbury |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 43°31′55.6″S 172°38′10.3″E (-43.5321, 172.6362) |
| Population | 390.000 |
| Known for | the Garden City and Banks Peninsula |
| Local time | 8:14 AM (UTC+12:00) |
| Best months | January, February, March, November and December |
| Climate | Temperate |
Weather map for Christchurch
Animated model layers. Pick a layer to load it.
Animated layers by Windy. For pin-level detail and nearby places, see the interactive map below.
Explore Christchurch
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Climate for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is Christchurch?
Christchurch is a city in Canterbury. Its coordinates are -43.5321, 172.6362. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in Christchurch right now?
It is currently 61°F (16°C) with mainly clear. Humidity is 55% and wind is 5 mph.
When is the best time to visit Christchurch?
January, February, March, November and December offer the most comfortable conditions in Christchurch, which has a temperate climate. June, July and August are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Christchurch in?
Christchurch observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+12:00). The local time is 8:14 AM.
How many people live in Christchurch?
Christchurch has a population of approximately 390.000.
What is the nearest airport to Christchurch?
The closest airports are Queenstown Airport (ZQN), 218 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Christchurch?
Popular options include South Island, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Lake Wakatipu, Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand and Milford Sound.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (cities-supported) - 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 25, 2026 at 8:14 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
