Christchurch weather in January (Canterbury, New Zealand)

Planning a trip to Christchurch in January? Wondering if it's the right time to visit? Browse this page for a comprehensive overview of the weather conditions for that month.

In Christchurch the weather in January is generally perfect, characterized by high temperatures and moderate rainfall. January falls within the summer season. Throughout the daytime, temperatures often hover around 22°C. However, as the sun sets and evening approaches, there's a noticeable cool-down, with temperatures gently dropping to a more temperate 13°C.

Christchurch in January usually receives moderate rainfall, averaging around 58 mm for the month. When we look at the climate data from the last 30 years, we can expect around 8 days of rain.

The days are predominantly sunny, with an estimated total of around 238 hours of sunshine. This amount of sunlight does not only brightens the days but also contributes to a cheerful ambiance in the area during this month.

So this is a great month to visit if you prefer dry days with pleasant temperatures. January, February, March and December typically offer the most optimal weather. In contrast, June, July and August tend to have less optimal conditions.

For an in-depth look at the yearly conditions, visit our specialized Christchurch climate page with graphs.

 

Christchurch, monthly averages in January

Min TemperatureMin Temperature 13°C  
Max TemperatureMax Temperature 22°C  
Water TemperatureWater Temperature 16°C  
Chance of RainChance of Rain 26%  
PrecipitationPrecipitation 58 mm  
Rainy daysRainy days 8 days  
HumidityHumidity 72%  
WindspeedWindspeed 14 km/h  
SunshineSunshine 238 hours  
Percentage SunshinePercentage Sunshine 51%  

Where to go in New Zealand in January

Find out more about the weather in New Zealand in January and which places have the best weather conditions in this month.

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Legend perfect weather pleasant tolerable unpleasant poor
Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C and 29°C and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm a month).

So, what should you wear in Christchurch in January?

For visitors traveling to Christchurch, we recommend wearing layers. So maybe a skirt, t-shirt, shorts for during the day and jeans and a warm jacket for some days and evenings. Bring a rain jacket in case it rains during your stay. Plan on layering your clothes. With a water temperature of around 16°C there is no need to bring your swimwear.

What To Do

We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do in January.

Cycling
10/10
Walking
10/10
Barbeque
9/10
Camping
8/10
Outdoor sports
10/10

Interested in more climate information?

Weather and Climate provides you with all the information you need about the climate in Christchurch.

Our site offers climate and forecast data for every country in the world. Are you going to New Zealand? On this website you can find historical weather averages for many cities in New Zealand. Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.