Climate Insights for Dunedin

The climate in Dunedin is temperate. The average annual temperature is 11°C and approximately 819mm of precipitation falls per year. November is the wettest month, receiving around 152mm of rainfall. Dunedin 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, March, December. The coldest months are August, July, June, when temperatures can drop to 2°C.

Dunedin sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 2°C to 22°C. February is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 22°C with a mean of 17°C. August is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 2°C and an average of 6°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 8°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between August and September, with a 3°C shift in average temperatures.

Dunedin is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 819mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 68mm per month. The wettest month is November, averaging 152mm of rainfall. May and October also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is June, with just 28mm. That's 124mm less than November, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

Dunedin is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 4km/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 5km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in August, with average winds dropping to 3km/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.

It is currently winter in Dunedin, which began on June 21, 2026. Dunedin 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 22°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in August near 2°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 64 days from now.

The best time to visit Dunedin is during February, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 17°C with modest rainfall averaging 49mm per month. By contrast, August can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 2°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Dunedin 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.