Kaikoura

Canterbury Weather in July

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Canterbury, New Zealand in July.

Planning a getaway to Canterbury, New Zealand this July and curious about the weather you should prepare for? Discover all the vital details you need on this page, solving your puzzle:

What to Expect in Canterbury in July

Canterbury, New Zealand is a region in New Zealand. In July, Canterbury experiences a range of weather conditions, with temperatures that range from very cold to mild and precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy. July is a winter month.

Temperatures

The average highest temperatures fluctuate between very cold in Mount Cook Village at 2°C (36°F) to mild in Lincoln at 12°C (54°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 3°C (37°F) in Lincoln and -6°C (21°F) in Mount Cook Village. Typically, it's the chilliest month of the year. Making it a great time for staying indoors and enjoying the warmth. Make sure you're prepared by packing the right winter outfits.

To explore the conditions in Canterbury, New Zealand in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In July, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Tai Tapu with an average of 56 mm (2.2 in) to heavy rainfall in Mount Cook Village with 206 mm (8.1 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine levels are moderate in most locations. Christchurch typically sees 122 hours of sunlight, creating comfortable conditions that aren't too bright or too dim. Looking for something sunnier? Our weather planner helps you discover destinations with more reliable sunshine.

Explore Canterbury by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Canterbury — and find the best time to visit. (based on Christchurch)

Best Places to Visit in Canterbury in July

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Canterbury.

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).

Popular Destinations in Canterbury

What is the weather like in July for some of the most popular destinations in Canterbury, New Zealand?

Temperature range in Canterbury (July)

Precipitation variation in Canterbury (July)

Christchurch

In July Christchurch generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 12°C (54°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 3°C (37°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

June
July
August
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
12°C (54°F)
13°C (55°F)
Min temperature
3°C (37°F)
3°C (37°F)
4°C (39°F)
Monthly sun hours
117 hours
122 hours
153 hours
Monthly rainfall
64 mm (2.5 in)
58 mm (2.3 in)
58 mm (2.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
12 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Kaikoura

In July Kaikoura generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 10°C (50°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 3°C (37°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

June
July
August
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
10°C (50°F)
11°C (52°F)
Min temperature
4°C (39°F)
3°C (37°F)
4°C (39°F)
Monthly rainfall
101 mm (4 in)
94 mm (3.7 in)
84 mm (3.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
11 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Hanmer Springs

In July Hanmer Springs generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 7°C (45°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -1°C (30°F) and high monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

June
July
August
Max temperature
8°C (46°F)
7°C (45°F)
9°C (48°F)
Min temperature
0°C (32°F)
-1°C (30°F)
0°C (32°F)
Monthly snow/rainfall
117 mm (4.6 in)
107 mm (4.2 in)
101 mm (4 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
13 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Lake Tekapo

In July Lake Tekapo generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 5°C (41°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -2°C (28°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

June
July
August
Max temperature
6°C (43°F)
5°C (41°F)
7°C (45°F)
Min temperature
-1°C (30°F)
-2°C (28°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Monthly snow/rainfall
105 mm (4.1 in)
99 mm (3.9 in)
101 mm (4 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
9 days
9 days
Weather conditions

Akaroa

In July Akaroa generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 11°C (52°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C (43°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

June
July
August
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
11°C (52°F)
12°C (54°F)
Min temperature
7°C (45°F)
6°C (43°F)
6°C (43°F)
Monthly sun hours
117 hours
122 hours
153 hours
Monthly rainfall
68 mm (2.7 in)
58 mm (2.3 in)
59 mm (2.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
16 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Canterbury, in New Zealand.

In our records: New Zealand July extremes

Notable July records observed across cities in New Zealand in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • In our records, the warmest July day in New Zealand reached 37°C (99°F) in Russell on July 26, 2020.

Popular cities in July

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Canterbury in July.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Christchurch 12°C (54°F) 3°C (37°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Kaikoura 10°C (50°F) 3°C (37°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Hanmer Springs 7°C (45°F) -1°C (30°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Lake Tekapo 5°C (41°F) -2°C (28°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Akaroa 11°C (52°F) 6°C (43°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Timaru 11°C (52°F) 2°C (36°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)

Canterbury weather in July: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Canterbury, New Zealand in July?

Canterbury, New Zealand typically experiences unpleasant weather in July, part of the winter season. Daytime highs in Christchurch average around 12°C (54°F), and temperatures drop to about 3°C (37°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in Canterbury, New Zealand in July?

In Christchurch, the average daytime high in July is 12°C (54°F), while nighttime temperatures drop to around 3°C (37°F).

Does Canterbury, New Zealand get a lot of rain in July?

Not particularly. Christchurch averages just 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain in July, making it a mostly dry month for Canterbury, New Zealand.

Is July a Good Time to Visit Canterbury, New Zealand?

In our opinion, July may not be the ideal time to visit Canterbury, New Zealand due to the typically unpleasant weather in Christchurch.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in January, February, March and December offering mostly perfect weather in Christchurch. On the other hand, the weather in June, July and August tend 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.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.