Milford Sound Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Milford Sound: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in Milford Sound 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 | 67° | 54° | 16,7 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| February | 66° | 53° | 15,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| March | 64° | 51° | 18,4 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| April | 61° | 49° | 19,4 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| May | 57° | 45° | 13,7 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| June | 55° | 43° | 16,0 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| July | 54° | 42° | 14,1 in | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| August | 54° | 41° | 18,5 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| September | 53° | 41° | 23,3 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| October | 56° | 44° | 26,5 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| November | 61° | 47° | 21,4 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| December | 64° | 52° | 21,1 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in Milford Sound
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How Milford Sound compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against Milford Sound.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand | 0 mi | 53°F | about the same | 224 in |
| Queenstown | 46 mi | 50°F | 35°F cooler | 65 in |
| Lake Wakatipu | 47 mi | 50°F | 35°F cooler | 64 in |
| Queenstown Airport | 49 mi | 50°F | 35°F cooler | 64 in |
| Fiordland National Park | 54 mi | 50°F | 35°F cooler | 85 in |
Best time to visit Milford Sound
Go in January, February 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 Milford Sound
Today is slightly warmer than average for October. The forecast high of 59°F is 2.9°F above the 56°F typical for this month.
A 100% chance means rain is expected over most of the area. Plan indoor alternatives. Around 1,2 in is forecast, which is enough to soak trails and slow traffic.
Visibility is down to 1,6 mi - use low beams and leave extra following distance. 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 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 - 6 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, July and August - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
Milford Sound is a tourist attraction in Southland. Milford Sound is a landmark known for a fiord with sheer cliffs and waterfalls.
Right now it is 58°F (14°C) in Milford Sound with light drizzle. It feels like 56°F. Today runs from 54°F to 59°F. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sightseeing conditions score 5/10 - marginal.
The best time to visit Milford Sound is January, February and December. The climate is temperate. June, July and August tend to be the least comfortable months. January is the warmest month with average highs near 67°F, while September is the coldest with lows near 41°F.
The closest major airport is Queenstown Airport (ZQN), about 49 mi away. Nearby highlights include Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand, Lake Wakatipu, Fiordland National Park and Aoraki / Mount Cook.
In plain terms. Today is slightly warmer than average for October. The forecast high of 59°F is 2.9°F above the 56°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 Milford Sound today at 9/10. Visibility is down to 1,6 mi - use low beams and leave extra following distance. 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 Milford Sound
| Type | Attraction |
|---|---|
| Region | Southland |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 44°38′29″S 167°53′50.6″E (-44.6414, 167.8974) |
| Known for | a fiord with sheer cliffs and waterfalls |
| Local time | 10:34 AM (UTC+13:00) |
| Best months | January, February and December |
| Climate | Temperate |
Weather map for Milford Sound
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 Milford Sound
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 Milford Sound?
Milford Sound is a tourist attraction in Southland. Its coordinates are -44.6414, 167.8974. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in Milford Sound right now?
It is currently 58°F (14°C) with light drizzle. Humidity is 98% and wind is 11 mph.
When is the best time to visit Milford Sound?
January, February and December offer the most comfortable conditions in Milford Sound, which has a temperate climate. June, July and August are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Milford Sound in?
Milford Sound observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+13:00). The local time is 10:34 AM.
What is the nearest airport to Milford Sound?
The closest airports are Queenstown Airport (ZQN), 49 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Milford Sound?
Popular options include Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand, Lake Wakatipu, Fiordland National Park, Aoraki / Mount Cook and South Island.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (attractions) - 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 26, 2026 at 10:34 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
