# Climate Insights for Oamaru

*Source: [Airpult](https://airpult.com/climate/nz/oamaru/7994734468): Otago, New Zealand*

The climate in Oamaru is temperate. The average annual temperature is 11°C and approximately 811mm of precipitation falls per year. Oamaru receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Oamaru 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: February, January, December. The coldest months are July, August, June, when temperatures can drop to 5°C.

## Key insights

- **Hottest month:** February (peak 19°C)
- **Coldest month:** July (low 5°C)
- **Wettest month:** November (90 mm)
- **Best time to visit:** January, February

## Monthly climate data

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Oamaru 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. 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.

| Month | Avg low (°C) | Avg high (°C) | Mean (°C) | Precip (mm) | Wind (km/h) | Snow (cm) |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Jan | 13 | 18 | 15 | 84 | 15 | 0 |
| Feb | 13 | 19 | 16 | 79 | 14 | 0 |
| Mar | 12 | 17 | 14 | 68 | 14 | 0 |
| Apr | 10 | 15 | 12 | 70 | 14 | 0 |
| May | 8 | 13 | 10 | 45 | 13 | 0 |
| Jun | 6 | 10 | 8 | 46 | 13 | 0 |
| Jul | 5 | 10 | 7 | 70 | 13 | 0 |
| Aug | 5 | 11 | 8 | 41 | 13 | 0 |
| Sep (current) | 7 | 13 | 9 | 50 | 15 | 0 |
| Oct | 9 | 14 | 11 | 79 | 15 | 0 |
| Nov | 11 | 16 | 13 | 90 | 15 | 0 |
| Dec | 12 | 18 | 14 | 88 | 15 | 0 |

## Temperature

Oamaru sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 5°C to 19°C. February is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 19°C with a mean of 16°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 5°C and an average of 7°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 5°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 2°C shift in average temperatures.

## Precipitation

Oamaru is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 811mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 68mm per month. The wettest month is November, averaging 90mm of rainfall. December and January also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 41mm. That's 48mm less than November, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around.

## Wind

Oamaru is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 14km/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 15km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in June, with average winds dropping to 13km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 2km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

## Seasons

Currently it is **winter** (astronomical) / **winter** (meteorological) in Oamaru.
Spring begins September 23, 2026 (8 days from now).

| Season | Begins |
| --- | --- |
| Spring | September 23 |
| Summer | December 21 |
| Autumn | March 20 |
| Winter | June 21 |

It is currently winter in Oamaru, which began on June 21, 2026. Oamaru 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 February at around 19°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 5°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 (8 days from now).

### Spring

Temperatures range from 7 to 16°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 219mm for the season, averaging 73mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 15km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.

### Summer

Temperatures range from 12 to 19°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 251mm for the season, averaging 84mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 15km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.

### Autumn

Temperatures range from 8 to 17°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 184mm for the season, averaging 61mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 14km/h. Layered clothing works best as temperatures gradually cool. Enjoy the crisp air and changing scenery.

### Winter

Temperatures range from 5 to 11°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 157mm for the season, averaging 52mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 13km/h. A light jacket or sweater is usually sufficient, though cooler evenings may call for an extra layer.

## Best time to visit

Recommended months: January, February.

The best time to visit Oamaru is during January and February, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 15°C with modest rainfall averaging 82mm per month. By contrast, July can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 5°C. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely. Pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.