# Climate Insights for Timaru

*Source: [Airpult](https://airpult.com/climate/nz/timaru/9714984634): Timaru District, Canterbury, New Zealand*

The climate in Timaru is temperate. The average annual temperature is 11°C and approximately 830mm of precipitation falls per year. Timaru receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Timaru 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 4°C.

## Key insights

- **Hottest month:** February (peak 19°C)
- **Coldest month:** July (low 4°C)
- **Wettest month:** December (92 mm)
- **Best time to visit:** January, February

## Monthly climate data

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Timaru 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 | 19 | 16 | 81 | 14 | 0 |
| Feb | 13 | 19 | 16 | 75 | 13 | 0 |
| Mar | 12 | 17 | 14 | 73 | 13 | 0 |
| Apr | 10 | 15 | 12 | 73 | 12 | 0 |
| May | 7 | 13 | 10 | 50 | 12 | 0 |
| Jun | 5 | 10 | 7 | 51 | 11 | 0 |
| Jul | 4 | 10 | 6 | 79 | 11 | 0 |
| Aug | 4 | 10 | 7 | 45 | 12 | 1 |
| Sep (current) | 6 | 13 | 9 | 47 | 14 | 1 |
| Oct | 8 | 14 | 11 | 76 | 14 | 1 |
| Nov | 11 | 16 | 13 | 89 | 14 | 0 |
| Dec | 12 | 18 | 15 | 92 | 14 | 0 |

## Temperature

Timaru sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 4°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 4°C and an average of 6°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 6°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 2°C shift in average temperatures.

## Precipitation

Timaru is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 830mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 69mm per month. The wettest month is December, averaging 92mm of rainfall. November and January also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 45mm. That's 47mm less than December, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around.

## Wind

Timaru is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 13km/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 14km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in June, with average winds dropping to 11km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 3km/h between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 11km/h in winter, 14km/h in spring, 14km/h in summer, 12km/h in autumn.

## Seasons

Currently it is **winter** (astronomical) / **winter** (meteorological) in Timaru.
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 Timaru, which began on June 21, 2026. Timaru 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 4°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 (8 days from now).

### Spring

Temperatures range from 6 to 16°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 213mm for the season, averaging 71mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 14km/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 247mm for the season, averaging 82mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 14km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.

### Autumn

Temperatures range from 7 to 17°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 195mm for the season, averaging 65mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 12km/h. Layered clothing works best as temperatures gradually cool. Enjoy the crisp air and changing scenery.

### Winter

Temperatures range from 4 to 10°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 174mm for the season, averaging 58mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 11km/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 Timaru is during January and February, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 16°C with modest rainfall averaging 78mm per month. By contrast, July can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 4°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.