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Best time to visit · New Zealand
For the most comfortable weather in Aoraki / Mount Cook, aim for February & March. February tops our comfort score at 68/100, with highs around 58°F (15°C) and 5.2 in (133 mm) of rain. April and November – January are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are June – August, mainly because of cool days.
Highs run from 42°F to 58°F across the year, and the yearly total is about 78.7 in (1998 mm) of rain.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high | 58°F15°C | 58°F15°C | 56°F14°C | 52°F11°C | 48°F9°C | 44°F7°C | 42°F6°C | 44°F7°C | 46°F8°C | 49°F9°C | 52°F11°C | 56°F13°C |
| Avg low | 48°F9°C | 49°F9°C | 47°F8°C | 43°F6°C | 40°F5°C | 36°F2°C | 35°F2°C | 36°F2°C | 38°F3°C | 39°F4°C | 42°F6°C | 46°F8°C |
| Rain | 7.0 in177 mm | 5.2 in133 mm | 5.9 in151 mm | 5.9 in150 mm | 7.0 in178 mm | 6.9 in176 mm | 5.9 in150 mm | 6.1 in155 mm | 7.0 in177 mm | 7.1 in181 mm | 6.8 in173 mm | 7.8 in197 mm |
| Humidity | 85% | 84% | 85% | 86% | 88% | 87% | 87% | 87% | 87% | 86% | 86% | 85% |
| Cloud | 66% | 62% | 61% | 60% | 61% | 59% | 60% | 62% | 66% | 68% | 70% | 70% |
| Comfort | 61 | 68 | 63 | 56 | 45 | 40 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 44 | 50 | 54 |
Source: NASA POWER (public domain), 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km satellite and reanalysis grid, so coasts and valleys can differ from what's shown. The grid cell sits at about 770 m (2,526 ft), close to Aoraki / Mount Cook's own ~748 m. Precipitation includes snow as melted water; daylight is calculated from latitude. Check a forecast before you go.
Aoraki / Mount Cook is in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons run opposite to North America and Europe.
Peak warmth: highs of 56–58°F (13–15°C). About 20.0 in (507 mm) of rain falls across these months, 25% of the year's total. Lows bottom out around 46°F (8°C). Comfort peaks here: February ranks with the year's best, and the season averages 61/100.
Temperatures slide from 56°F highs in March to 48°F by May. It's the driest season, with only about 18.9 in (479 mm) of rain, 24% of the year's total. Lows bottom out around 40°F (5°C). March is among the best-scoring months (season average 55/100).
The coldest season, with highs of 42–44°F (6–7°C) and lows down to 35°F (2°C). About 18.9 in (481 mm) of rain falls across these months, 24% of the year's total. Comfort scores bottom out in June – August; the season averages 40/100.
Temperatures climb through the season, from 46°F highs in September to 52°F by November. It's the wettest season, with about 20.9 in (531 mm) of rain, 27% of the year's total. Lows bottom out around 38°F (3°C). November score well without being the very best (season average 45/100).
By comfort score: 3 Good, 4 Fair and 5 Tough. Tap a month for its own guide.
For the most comfortable weather in Aoraki / Mount Cook, aim for February & March. February tops our comfort score at 68/100, with highs around 58°F (15°C) and 5.2 in (133 mm) of rain. April and November – January are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are June – August, mainly because of cool days.
December is the wettest month, averaging about 7.8 in (197 mm) of rain. February is the driest, with about 5.2 in (133 mm). The yearly total is around 78.7 in (1998 mm).
July is the coldest, with average lows of 35°F (2°C) and highs of 42°F (6°C). The warmest is February, with average highs of 58°F (15°C).
Not very: summer (December – February) humidity averages 85%, and highs peak around 58°F (15°C), so it rarely feels sticky.
Not on average: even in July, the coldest month, lows average 35°F (2°C). Individual cold snaps can still dip lower.
Poll the group on February & March dates, then plan the days, packing and costs together.
