Lake Tekapo Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Lake Tekapo, Canterbury, New Zealand. Long-term data from 1990 to 2020 was used to calculate these averages. Now, let's break down all the details for a clearer picture.
Lake Tekapo experiences significant rain/snowfall throughout the year, averaging 1307 mm (51 in) of precipitation annually.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))
Year-round, Lake Tekapo has a balanced climate with minimal variation in precipitation. The difference between the wettest month, October, with 126 mm (5 in), and the driest month, March, with 96 mm (3.8 in), is minimal.
October, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 12°C (54°F). During the driest month March you can expect a temperature of 17°C (63°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Lake Tekapo Temperature page.
Daily Historical Precipitation
36-year average (1990-2025)
Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.
Average precipitation in June
Explore Lake Tekapo's Historical Precipitation: 1978-2026
Browse day-by-day precipitation records for Lake Tekapo spanning 49 years. Select any month and year to see actual rainfall and snowfall recorded on each day.
Annual Rainfall in New Zealand: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across New Zealand. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
low
almost none
Lake Tekapo vs World: Rainfall Compared
Lake Tekapo's average annual precipitation is 1307 mm (51 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:
In Lisbon, Portugal, the average annual precipitation is 774 mm (30 in), characterized by wet winters and dry summers typical of the Mediterranean climate.
Osaka, Japan, experiences 1507 mm (59 in) of rainfall annually, spread across the year with wetter summers.
In Brisbane, Australia, the annual precipitation is 979 mm (39 in), making it wetter than Sydney.
Bangkok, Thailand, experiences a tropical monsoon climate with 1668 mm (66 in) of annual rainfall, with the heaviest precipitation occurring during September and October.
Precipitation amounts are measured using specific gauges installed at weather stations, collecting both rain and snow and any other type of precipitation. Rainfall is measured directly in millimeters, while that from snow and ice is obtained by melting it. Automated systems often incorporate heaters to make this easier.
Information from these stations is transmitted via Wi-Fi, satellite, GPS, or telephone connections to central monitoring networks. This information is immediately updated and integrated into weather models and forecasts.
The proximity of a location to a large body of water can significantly affect its rainfall patterns:
- Ocean Influence: Coastal regions typically receive more rainfall due to the presence of moisture-laden winds from the ocean. These regions tend to have more humid climates and experience more frequent precipitation, especially in winter.
- Continental Climates: Areas further from the sea, such as inland or continental regions, experience less frequent rainfall and more extreme seasonal variations in precipitation.
- "Ginger" was the longest-lasting Atlantic tropical storm, which spun around the open ocean for 28 days in 1971.
- The world's largest snowflake was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, at 38 cm (15 inches) wide and 20 cm (7.9 inches) thick. The snowflake fell at Fort Keogh, Montana, USA, on 28 January 1887.
- The greatest snowfall recorded was on Mt. Rainier, Washington State, USA—over 31.5 meters (103 feet) fell during the winter of 1972.
For more detailed information about Lake Tekapo's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Lake Tekapo Climate page.
