Is the weather good in New Zealand in December 2024?
For the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in New Zealand during December have been around +20°C.
In New Zealand the temperature rarely varies more than seven degrees between the different parts with the highest temperature +20°C in Christchurch to +18°C in Queenstown. So you should be able to pack for similar conditions wherever you go in the country.
Temperature, wind and humidity in December
- rainiest? Queenstown, with an average of 4 mm of rain and humidity of 75%;
- warmest? Christchurch, with daytime temperatures averaging +21°C;
- windiest? Wellington, with an average of 6 m/s;
- coolest? Queenstown, with daytime temperatures averaging +18°C;
How good is the weather in New Zealand in December?
How warm is it in New Zealand during December?
This is how hot it usually is in December
- Average maximum temperature for the month: +19°C;
- Average minimum temperature for the month: +13°C;
- Highest monthly temperature: +20°C;
- Lowest monthly temperature: +12°C;
Monthly temperatures:
- Warmest: January with an average +21°C during the day;
- Coldest: July with an average +11°C of the day;
- Hottest month in hottest city: February in Auckland;
- Coldest month in coolest city: July in Queenstown;
Winds in New Zealand during December
December tends to offer light winds averaging 4 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.
Comparison between cities in December:
- Highest average wind speed: Wellington with 6 m/s;
- Lowest average wind speed: Queenstown with 1 m/s;
- Windiest day of the month: Wellington with 8 m/s;
- The least windy day of the month: Queenstown with 1 m/s;
Humidity and precipitation in New Zealand in December
Comparison between cities in December:
- Highest average rainfall: Queenstown with 137 mm;
- Lowest average rainfall: Christchurch with 60 mm;
- Most number of rainy days: Queenstown with 21 rainy days;
- Least number of rainy days: Wellington with 14 rainy days;
- Highest risk of rain during the day: Queenstown with 68%;
- Least risk of rain during the day: Wellington with 45%;
- Highest average humidity: Wellington with 83%;
- Lowest average humidity: Christchurch with 69%;
Tips for traveling to New Zealand in December
Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for New Zealand? Activities, weather, and clothing are closely linked. In addition, it's important to pack only what you really need so you don't have to worry about heavy packing or paying extra baggage fees.
Here is some advice on what to pack and what kind of activities you can do in the New Zealand based on the weather that December is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.
Pack right for December
- For light showers, an umbrella or a thin and light rain cape is usually sufficient, while more rain may require rainwear and rain boots.
- Cool weather is between warm and cold. This means you can bring long pants and/or a longer skirt and an extra sweater. Be aware that cool days can alternate with cold nights - it may be wise to also pack a hat, gloves and a scarf.
- Light winds are probably most comfortable in hot weather but is cooling in cool and cold weather. If it is hot (when the air temperature is about 30 degrees), the wind can have a warming effect. A thin, windproof jacket and long trousers help to counteract these effects.
- High humidity means that the air conducts heat to and from the skin more easily. For example, if the air is hot (above skin temperature), it will be harder to stay cool. On the other hand, if the air is cool or cold, it is more difficult to stay warm. In high humidity, the choice of clothing makes less of a difference. However, your physical activity plays a bigger role.
FAQ
What can you do outside when it's warm in New Zealand?
Is December a good time to visit New Zealand?
Monthly weather in New Zealand
Source of the data
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in New Zealand, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2023.
For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.