Otago Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Otago: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in Otago 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° | 50° | 4,6 in | ★★★★☆ |
| February | 65° | 50° | 3,5 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 62° | 48° | 3,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| April | 60° | 46° | 2,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| May | 54° | 40° | 1,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| June | 51° | 39° | 3,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| July | 51° | 38° | 4,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| August | 52° | 37° | 1,3 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| September | 56° | 41° | 3,4 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| October | 58° | 42° | 6,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| November | 61° | 46° | 3,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| December | 63° | 49° | 5,7 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in Otago
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How Otago compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against Otago.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southland | 121 mi | 48°F | 34°F cooler | 56 in |
| South Island | 133 mi | 46°F | 37°F cooler | 60 in |
| Fiordland National Park | 138 mi | 50°F | about the same | 86 in |
| Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand | 153 mi | 53°F | +35°F warmer | 222 in |
| Milford Sound | 153 mi | 53°F | +35°F warmer | 222 in |
Climate by city in Otago
3 cities mapped in this atlas
Climate by lake in Otago
1 lakes mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit Otago
Go in January, February, March, April and November. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: June, July and October - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for Otago
Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 53°F is in line with the 52°F typical for this month.
A 91% chance means rain is expected over most of the area. Plan indoor alternatives.
Gusts to 56 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Southern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in December to February.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 46°F - an unusually even climate through the year.
What to pack, what to skip
- A warm mid-layer and gloves for early mornings and evenings
- A packable rain shell - 4 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- Avoid exposed ridgelines, small boats and rooftop viewpoints while gusts stay above 56 mph.
- If your dates are flexible, avoid June, July and October - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
Otago is a region in New Zealand. Otago is a region of New Zealand. It has a population of about 255.000.
Right now it is 45°F (7°C) in Otago with light drizzle. It feels like 31°F. Today runs from 39°F to 53°F. Chance of precipitation is 91%. Sightseeing conditions score 5/10 - marginal.
The best time to visit Otago is January, February, March, April and November. The climate is temperate. June, July and October tend to be the least comfortable months. February is the warmest month with average highs near 65°F, while August is the coldest with lows near 37°F.
The closest major airport is Queenstown Airport (ZQN), about 104 mi away. Nearby highlights include Lake Wakatipu, South Island, Fiordland National Park and Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand.
In plain terms. Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 53°F is in line with the 52°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 12 PM to 3 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. fishing is the strongest bet in Otago today at 7.5/10. Gusts to 56 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.
Quick facts about Otago
| Type | Region |
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 45°52′43.7″S 170°30′10.1″E (-45.8788, 170.5028) |
| Population | 255.000 |
| Local time | 10:45 PM (UTC+12:00) |
| Best months | January, February, March, April and November |
| Climate | Temperate |
Weather map for Otago
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 Otago
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 Otago?
Otago is a region in New Zealand. Its coordinates are -45.8788, 170.5028. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in Otago right now?
It is currently 45°F (7°C) with light drizzle. Humidity is 62% and wind is 24 mph.
When is the best time to visit Otago?
January, February, March, April and November offer the most comfortable conditions in Otago, which has a temperate climate. June, July and October are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Otago in?
Otago observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+12:00). The local time is 10:45 PM.
How many people live in Otago?
Otago has a population of approximately 255.000.
What is the nearest airport to Otago?
The closest airports are Queenstown Airport (ZQN), 104 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Otago?
Popular options include Lake Wakatipu, South Island, Fiordland National Park, Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand, Milford Sound and Aoraki / Mount Cook.
What places are in Otago?
Otago covers 4 places in this atlas, including Dunedin, Queenstown, Wanaka and Lake Wakatipu.
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 23, 2026 at 10:45 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
