Climate Insights for Lake Hawea

Queenstown-Lakes District, Otago, New Zealand

Hottest
January
18°C peak
Coldest
July
-2°C low
Wettest
July
164mm rain
Best to Visit
Varies throughout year

Climate Overview

The climate in Lake Hawea is cool. The average annual temperature is 7°C and approximately 1518mm of precipitation falls per year. Lake Hawea receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Lake Hawea 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 -2°C. Lake Hawea experiences heavy snowfall, typically from January through December.

Temperature

-10° -5° 10° 15° 20° Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Max: 18° Average: 13° Min: 9° Feb Max: 17° Average: 13° Min: 8° Mar Max: 16° Average: 11° Min: 7° Apr Max: 11° Average: 7° Min: 4° May Max: 8° Average: 4° Min: 1° Jun Max: 4° Average: 1° Min: -2° Jul Max: 3° Average: 0° Min: -2° Aug Max: 5° Average: 1° Min: -1° Sep Max: 7° Average: 4° Min: 0° Oct Max: 11° Average: 6° Min: 3° Nov Max: 14° Average: 9° Min: 5° Dec Max: 16° Average: 11° Min: 7°
Max
Average
Min

Lake Hawea sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from -2°C to 18°C. January is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 18°C with a mean of 13°C. The coldest month is July, when overnight lows fall to -2°C and the daily average is 0°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 4°C shift in average temperatures.

Precipitation

0mm 50mm 100mm 150mm 200mm Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Precipitation: 128mm Snow: 1mm Feb Precipitation: 130mm Snow: 5mm Mar Precipitation: 117mm Snow: 2mm Apr Precipitation: 114mm Snow: 11mm May Precipitation: 136mm Snow: 21mm Jun Precipitation: 70mm Snow: 21mm Jul Precipitation: 164mm Snow: 59mm Aug Precipitation: 85mm Snow: 34mm Sep Precipitation: 133mm Snow: 36mm Oct Precipitation: 140mm Snow: 25mm Nov Precipitation: 146mm Snow: 25mm Dec Precipitation: 154mm Snow: 4mm
Precipitation
Snow

Lake Hawea is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1518mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 126mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 164mm of rainfall. December and November also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is June, with just 70mm. That's 94mm less than July, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around. Lake Hawea receives heavy snowfall, accumulating around 243cm annually from January through December. The snowiest month is July, with approximately 59cm. Winter travel should account for significant snow cover.

Wind

0km/h 5km/h Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Wind Speed: 2km/h Feb Wind Speed: 2km/h Mar Wind Speed: 2km/h Apr Wind Speed: 2km/h May Wind Speed: 2km/h Jun Wind Speed: 1km/h Jul Wind Speed: 1km/h Aug Wind Speed: 1km/h Sep Wind Speed: 2km/h Oct Wind Speed: 2km/h Nov Wind Speed: 2km/h Dec Wind Speed: 2km/h
Wind Speed

Lake Hawea is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 2km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is January, averaging 2km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in August, with average winds dropping to 1km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 1km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.

Seasons

Winter
Dec 21
Spring
Sep 23
Summer
Dec 21
Autumn
Mar 20

93 days until Spring

It is currently winter in Lake Hawea, which began on June 21, 2026. Lake Hawea 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 -2°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 93 days from now.

Spring

Temperatures range from 0 to 14°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 419mm across the season with a monthly average of 140mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 2km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.

Summer

Temperatures range from 7 to 18°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 412mm across the season with a monthly average of 137mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 2km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.

Autumn

Temperatures range from 1 to 16°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 368mm across the season with a monthly average of 123mm. Expect around 34cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 2km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.

Winter

Temperatures range from -2 to 5°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 319mm across the season with a monthly average of 106mm. Expect around 114cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/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 Lake Hawea 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.

Month
Min Temperature
Max Temperature
Wind Speed
Precipitation
Snow
Jan
9 °C
18 °C
2 km/h
128 mm
1 cm
Feb
8 °C
17 °C
2 km/h
130 mm
5 cm
Mar
7 °C
16 °C
2 km/h
117 mm
2 cm
Apr
4 °C
11 °C
2 km/h
114 mm
11 cm
May
1 °C
8 °C
2 km/h
136 mm
21 cm
Jun Current
-2 °C
4 °C
1 km/h
70 mm
21 cm
Jul
-2 °C
3 °C
1 km/h
164 mm
59 cm
Aug
-1 °C
5 °C
1 km/h
85 mm
34 cm
Sep
0 °C
7 °C
2 km/h
133 mm
36 cm
Oct
3 °C
11 °C
2 km/h
140 mm
25 cm
Nov
5 °C
14 °C
2 km/h
146 mm
25 cm
Dec
7 °C
16 °C
2 km/h
154 mm
4 cm
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