Christchurch Weather and Climate
Christchurch, New Zealand
Photographer: Hiroshi Nameda
(hnamechan@hotmail.com)
The city of Christchurch has a temperate, relatively dry climate with rain falling on fewer days than New Zealand's other major cities. Overall Christchurch's climate is comfortable all year round, although winter nights can be cold and frosts are common.
After a cold, frosty morning Christchurch usually enjoys a bright, sunny day with little or no wind. Warm Nor'wester winds are possible at any time of year, but usually during the summer months of December, January and February.
The average temperature of Christchurch in January is 22.5°C (72.5°F) and 11.3°C (52.3°F) in July. Temperatures in summer are often moderated by cool sea breezes, but a record temperature of 41.6°C (107°F) was reached in February 1973.
Winter temperatures often fall below 0°C (32°F) at night and there are on average 70 days of frost per year. Snow falls are usually expected once or twice a year on the hill suburbs of Christchurch and about once every second year on the plains.
Average High Temperature Ranges:
- Summer (Dec – Feb): Daytime 21°C – 23°C
- Autumn (Mar – May): Daytime 14°C – 20°C
- Winter (Jun – Aug): Daytime 11°C – 13°C
- Spring (Sep – Nov): Daytime 15°C– 19°C
On average, Christchurch has 2100 hours of sunshine per year. The average annual rainfall for Christchurch is 648mm.
