Climate Overview
The climate in Te Anau is cool. The average annual temperature is 8°C and approximately 1730mm of precipitation falls per year. Te Anau receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Te Anau 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 1°C. Snowfall occurs from April to November, with around 59cm accumulating over the season.
Temperature
Te Anau sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 1°C to 18°C. January is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 18°C with a mean of 13°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 1°C and an average of 4°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 7°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between March and April, with a 2°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Te Anau is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1730mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 144mm per month. The wettest month is October, averaging 177mm of rainfall. September and May also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is June, with just 111mm. That's 66mm less than October, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around. Snowfall is a regular feature from April to November, with around 59cm accumulating over the season. July typically sees the most snow at around 14cm.
Wind
Te Anau is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 15km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is October, averaging 17km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in June, with average winds dropping to 12km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 5km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 12km/h in winter, 17km/h in spring, 17km/h in summer, 15km/h in autumn.
Seasons
89 days until Winter
It is currently autumn in Te Anau, which began on March 20, 2026. Te Anau 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 18°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 1°C. Winter is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from 3 to 14°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 509mm across the season with a monthly average of 170mm. Winds are moderate at around 17km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 8 to 18°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 424mm across the season with a monthly average of 141mm. Winds are moderate at around 17km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 4 to 16°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 409mm across the season with a monthly average of 136mm. Expect around 7cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 15km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from 1 to 8°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 388mm across the season with a monthly average of 129mm. Expect around 31cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 12km/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 Te Anau 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.
