Weather in December in Canterbury
Are you planning a trip a to Canterbury in December and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.
What is the weather like in Canterbury in December?
Canterbury is a region in New Zealand. December in Canterbury generally has temperatures that range from mild to pleasant, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy. During December, summer is in full swing.
Temperatures
The average highest temperatures fluctuate between mild in Mount Cook Village at 13°C to pleasant in Lincoln at 21°C. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 11°C in Lincoln and 4°C in Mount Cook Village.For a closer look at conditions across Canterbury, refer to the map below.
Precipitation
In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Akaroa with an average of 57 mm to heavy rainfall in Mount Cook Village with 283 mm.Average sunshine
The days are mostly sunny, with an average total of around 218 hours of sunshine in Christchurch. The sunlight during this month doesn't just make the days brighter, it also seems to make everyone a bit more cheerful.For an in-depth overview of the yearly conditions, do visit our Canterbury climate page.
Where to go in Canterbury in December
perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor
Select a Month of Interest
Check the conditions for any month of the year.
For a detailed overview over the year and the best time to visit New Zealand, check out our Canterbury's climate page.
Popular destinations
What is the weather like in December for the 5 most popular destinations in Canterbury?
Christchurch
In December Christchurch generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 21°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 11°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.
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Kaikoura
In December Kaikoura generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 19°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 11°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.
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Hanmer Springs
In December Hanmer Springs generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 18°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 8°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.
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Lake Tekapo
In December Lake Tekapo generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 17°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.
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Akaroa
In December Akaroa generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 18°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 12°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.
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Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at other destinations in Canterbury, in New Zealand.
Is December the best time to visit Canterbury?
We believe that December is one of the best times to visit Canterbury with overall perfect weather in Christchurch. It's worth noting that weather conditions might differ depending on the location you visit.
Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in January, February, March and December offering mostly perfect weather in Christchurch. The weather in June, July and August, on the other hand, tends to be unpleasant.
Interested in more climate information?
We have much more information about the climate in Canterbury.
Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to New Zealand? Get detailed 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 travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.