Climate Overview
The climate in Wanaka is cool. The average annual temperature is 8°C and approximately 1272mm of precipitation falls per year. Wanaka receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Wanaka 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, August, June, when temperatures can drop to -1°C. Snowfall occurs from February to November, with around 122cm accumulating over the season.
Temperature
Wanaka sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from -1°C to 19°C. January is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 19°C with a mean of 14°C. The coldest month is July, when overnight lows fall to -1°C and the daily average is 1°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 3°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Wanaka is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1272mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 106mm per month. The wettest month is September, averaging 147mm of rainfall. October and July also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is June, with just 74mm. That's 72mm 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. Snowfall is a regular feature from February to November, with around 122cm accumulating over the season. July typically sees the most snow at around 27cm.
Wind
Wanaka is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 6km/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 7km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in June, with average winds dropping to 5km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 2km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.
Seasons
7 days until Spring
It is currently winter in Wanaka, which began on June 21, 2026. Wanaka 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 19°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near -1°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 (7 days from now).
Spring
Temperatures range from 1 to 15°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 400mm across the season with a monthly average of 133mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 7km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 8 to 19°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 312mm across the season with a monthly average of 104mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 7km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 2 to 17°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 290mm for the season, averaging 97mm per month. Expect around 13cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 6km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from -1 to 6°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 270mm for the season, averaging 90mm per month. Expect around 56cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 5km/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 Wanaka 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.
