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Queenstown Weather in December

December in Queenstown averages 15°C (59°F) during the day and 6°C (43°F) at night. Quite a bit of rainfall is typical this month, with around 149 mm (5.9 in) on average. An umbrella is a good idea.

Rainfall in Queenstown in December

Rain is expected on roughly 12 days, totalling around 149 mm (5.9 in) for the month. Rainfall intensity is on the higher side this month. Expect more substantial showers rather than light, passing rain.

Temperature in Queenstown in December

In December, Queenstown sees moderate temperatures, with highs of 15°C (59°F). Nights drop to around 6°C (43°F). During December, you'll experience the summer season. Even when the weather is stable, mornings and evenings can still feel distinctly cool. At 6°C (43°F) overnight, it gets properly cold after dark. On the bright side, cold nights tend to make for excellent sleeping conditions.

Sunshine in Queenstown in December

Expect sunny days throughout the month, with an estimated 223 hours of sunshine. This makes it a pleasant time to visit Queenstown.

If you favor pleasant temperatures and minimal rainfall, December is one of the best months to visit Queenstown.

Queenstown Temperature in December

Min Temperature

6°C (43°F)

Max Temperature

15°C (59°F)

Chance of Rain

41%

Precipitation

149 mm (5.9 in)

Rainy days

12 days

Humidity

69%

Sunshine

223 hours

Percentage Sunshine

Queenstown Weather by Month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Queenstown - and find the best time to visit.

January

17°C (63°F)View January → February

17°C (63°F)View February → March

15°C (59°F)View March → April

12°C (54°F)View April → May

8°C (46°F)View May → June

4°C (39°F)View June → July

3°C (37°F)View July → August

4°C (39°F)View August → September

6°C (43°F)View September → This monthOctober

9°C (48°F)View October → November

13°C (55°F)View November → December

15°C (59°F)View December →

Best Time to Visit Queenstown →

Daily Historical Temperatures

31-year average (1995-2025)

Based on our historical records, temperatures in Queenstown typically stay consistent throughout December, with daily highs averaging around 15°C (59°F). Nights are cold, with lows typically ranging from 7°C (45°F) to 9°C (48°F).

Average temperatures in December

Daily Historical Precipitation

31-year average (1995-2025)

Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.

Average precipitation in December

Historical weather records for Queenstown in December

Browse day-by-day weather records for Queenstown spanning 32 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.

Queenstown historical weather extremes in December

Based on 28 years of weather observations (1997-2025), these are the most extreme conditions recorded in Queenstown.

The hottest December day on record in Queenstown reached 30°C (86°F) (December 25, 2012).
Queenstown experienced its chilliest December day on December 18, 2004, reaching only 8°C (46°F).
The lowest overnight temperature recorded in December was -3°C (27°F) (December 1, 2006).
The wettest day in December Queenstown was on December 28, 2010 with 40 mm (1.6 in) of precipitation.

Best Places in New Zealand in December

Find out more about the weather in New Zealand and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of New Zealand in December →

Conditions Temperatures Precipitation

Temperatures Precipitation

perfect weather

pleasant

tolerable

unpleasant

poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Marker color shows the average daytime high temperature in December: blue is cold, red is hot.

Marker color shows total monthly precipitation in December: pale blue is dry, deep blue is wet.

What to Wear in Queenstown in December

The weather can swing between comfortable and chilly in December, so flexibility is key. Pack a variety of tops, at least one warm layer, and both shorts and long pants. This gives you options no matter what the day brings. Expect heavy rainfall, so bring good rain protection and waterproof bags. And with plenty of sunshine hours, don’t forget sunglasses, sunscreen, and maybe a sun hat.