Southland Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Southland: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
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).
Recent extremes in Southland
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
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 |
Climate by national park in Southland
1 national parks mapped in this atlas
Climate by attraction in Southland
1 attractions mapped in this atlas
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.
What this means for Southland
Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 49°F is in line with the 49°F typical for this month.
A 100% chance means rain is expected over most of the area. Plan indoor alternatives. Around 0,6 in is forecast, which is enough to soak trails and slow traffic.
Gusts to 50 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 47°F.
What to pack, what to skip
- 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 50 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 40°F (5°C) in Southland with drizzle. It feels like 30°F. Today runs from 37°F to 49°F. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sightseeing conditions score 3.4/10 - poor - consider another day.
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 about average for August. The forecast high of 49°F is in line with the 49°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. fishing is the strongest bet in Southland today at 7.6/10. Gusts to 50 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 Southland
| Type | Region |
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 46°0′0″S 168°0′0″E (-46, 168) |
| Population | 102.000 |
| Local time | 8:40 AM (UTC+12:00) |
| Best months | January and February |
| Climate | Temperate |
Weather map for Southland
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 Southland
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 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 40°F (5°C) with drizzle. Humidity is 87% and wind is 16 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 8:40 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 August 24, 2026 at 8:40 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
