Summer Dec – Feb
Peak warmth: highs of 62–64°F (17–18°C). About 22.0 in (558 mm) of rain falls across these months, 26% of the year's total. Lows bottom out around 49°F (10°C). February is among the best-scoring months (season average 66/100).
Best time to visit · New Zealand
Best Time to Visit Milford Sound
February & March are the best time to visit Milford Sound on the climate data: February scores 72/100, with highs around 64°F (18°C) and 6.1 in (155 mm) of rain. April and November – January are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are June & July and September, mainly because of cool days.
- Best months
- Feb & Mar
- Shoulder
- Apr and Nov – Jan
- Toughest
- Jun & Jul and Sep
- Warmest
- Feb · 64°F
- Coldest nights
- Jul · 39°F
- Wettest
- Dec · 8.0 in
- Driest
- Feb · 6.1 in
Milford Sound weather by month
Highs run from 47°F to 64°F across the year, and the yearly total is about 83.8 in (2128 mm) of rain.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high | 64°F18°C | 64°F18°C | 62°F17°C | 57°F14°C | 53°F11°C | 48°F9°C | 47°F8°C | 49°F10°C | 52°F11°C | 54°F12°C | 58°F15°C | 62°F17°C |
| Avg low | 51°F11°C | 52°F11°C | 50°F10°C | 47°F8°C | 44°F6°C | 40°F4°C | 39°F4°C | 40°F4°C | 41°F5°C | 43°F6°C | 46°F8°C | 49°F10°C |
| Rain | 7.9 in201 mm | 6.1 in155 mm | 6.5 in164 mm | 6.2 in158 mm | 7.6 in192 mm | 6.7 in169 mm | 6.5 in166 mm | 6.1 in155 mm | 7.6 in193 mm | 7.7 in195 mm | 7.0 in178 mm | 8.0 in202 mm |
| Humidity | 83% | 84% | 86% | 88% | 91% | 92% | 91% | 90% | 88% | 86% | 84% | 83% |
| Cloud | 75% | 73% | 72% | 74% | 76% | 71% | 72% | 74% | 75% | 76% | 76% | 76% |
| Comfort | 65 | 72 | 67 | 60 | 47 | 44 | 42 | 46 | 46 | 49 | 58 | 61 |
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. Temperatures were adjusted from the grid cell's ~643 m (2,110 ft) to Milford Sound's ~271 m (889 ft) elevation using the standard lapse rate of 6.5°C per 1,000 m. Precipitation includes snow as melted water; daylight is calculated from latitude. Check a forecast before you go.
How we pick the best months
- Temperature (40 pts): full marks for average daytime highs of 64–81°F (18–27°C); minus 3 points per °C below and 4 per °C above.
- Rain (25 pts): full marks up to 40 mm (1.6 in) a month, falling to zero at 250 mm (9.8 in).
- Humidity (15 pts): only counts when it is warm (mean above 18°C); minus 0.75 points per % above 70% relative humidity.
- Cloud (20 pts): full marks at 30% cloud cover or less, falling to zero at 90%.
Best months: within 6 points of the top (or 85+). Shoulder: within 18 and at least 45. Toughest: within 6 of the lowest. Comfort only; crowds, prices, festivals and openings aren't scored.
Milford Sound season by season
Milford Sound is in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons run opposite to North America and Europe.
Autumn Mar – May
Temperatures slide from 62°F highs in March to 53°F by May. About 20.2 in (514 mm) of rain falls across these months, 24% of the year's total. Lows bottom out around 44°F (6°C). Comfort peaks here: March ranks with the year's best, and the season averages 58/100.
Winter Jun – Aug
The cold peaks here: highs of 47–49°F (8–10°C), and nights reach 39°F (4°C). It's the driest season, with only about 19.3 in (490 mm) of rain, 23% of the year's total. It holds the toughest stretch on our comfort score (June & July), averaging 44/100.
Spring Sep – Nov
Temperatures climb through the season, from 52°F highs in September to 58°F by November. It's the wettest season, with about 22.3 in (566 mm) of rain, 27% of the year's total. Lows bottom out around 41°F (5°C). Comfort scores bottom out in September; the season averages 51/100.
What our curated routes say
- Our curated South Island Alps & Fiords route recommends Nov – Mar. That lines up with the climate data here: November – March are among the better-scoring months.
Plan by month
By comfort score: 5 Good, 5 Fair and 2 Tough. Tap a month for its own guide.
Milford Sound weather questions
When is the best time to visit Milford Sound?
February & March are the best time to visit Milford Sound on the climate data: February scores 72/100, with highs around 64°F (18°C) and 6.1 in (155 mm) of rain. April and November – January are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are June & July and September, mainly because of cool days.
What is the rainiest month in Milford Sound?
December is the wettest month, averaging about 8.0 in (202 mm) of rain. February is the driest, with about 6.1 in (155 mm). The yearly total is around 83.8 in (2128 mm).
What is the coldest month in Milford Sound?
July is the coldest, with average lows of 39°F (4°C) and highs of 47°F (8°C). The warmest is February, with average highs of 64°F (18°C).
Is Milford Sound humid in summer?
Not very: summer (December – February) humidity averages 83%, and highs peak around 64°F (18°C), so it rarely feels sticky.
Does it get below freezing in Milford Sound?
Not on average: even in July, the coldest month, lows average 39°F (4°C). Individual cold snaps can still dip lower.
More on Milford Sound
Weather nearby
- Queenstown weather ~44 mi away
- Aoraki / Mount Cook weather ~126 mi away
- Christchurch weather ~247 mi away
Routes and legs
Pick your Milford Sound dates together
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