Climate Overview
The climate in Mount Cook Airport is cool. The average annual temperature is 4°C and approximately 3197mm of precipitation falls per year. Mount Cook Airport receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Mount Cook Airport is in the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons are reversed — summer runs from December to February, while winter falls between June and August. The summer months are: January, February, December. The coldest months are July, June, August, when temperatures can drop to -5°C. Mount Cook Airport experiences heavy snowfall, typically from January through December.
Temperature
Mount Cook Airport sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from -5°C to 15°C. January is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 15°C with a mean of 11°C. The coldest month is July, when overnight lows fall to -5°C and the daily average is -2°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 8°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between March and April, with a 4°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Mount Cook Airport is a very wet location, receiving approximately 3197mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 266mm per month. The wettest month is September, averaging 306mm of rainfall. December and May also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is June, with just 214mm. That's 91mm less than September, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around. Mount Cook Airport receives heavy snowfall, accumulating around 442cm annually from January through December. The snowiest month is July, with approximately 92cm. Winter travel should account for significant snow cover.
Wind
Mount Cook Airport is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 9km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is December, averaging 11km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in June, with average winds dropping to 7km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 4km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 7km/h in winter, 9km/h in spring, 10km/h in summer, 9km/h in autumn.
Seasons
89 days until Winter
It is currently autumn in Mount Cook Airport, which began on March 20, 2026. Mount Cook Airport is in the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed — spring starts in September, summer in December, autumn in March, and winter in June. The warmest period peaks in January at around 15°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near -5°C. Winter is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from -3 to 11°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 871mm across the season with a monthly average of 290mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 9km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 5 to 15°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 803mm across the season with a monthly average of 268mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 10km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.
Autumn
Temperatures range from -1 to 13°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 782mm across the season with a monthly average of 261mm. Expect around 56cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 9km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from -5 to 3°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 740mm across the season with a monthly average of 247mm. Expect around 220cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 7km/h. Warm winter clothing and waterproof boots are a must, and travel may be affected by snow.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Mount Cook Airport based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.
