Canterbury weather in May
Considering a trip to Canterbury this May and wondering about the expected weather conditions? Find all the crucial information you need right here, addressing your question:
What is the weather like in Canterbury in May?
Canterbury is a region in New Zealand. May in Canterbury generally has temperatures that range from cold to moderate, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy.
During the day the temperature is cold in Mount Cook Village at 6°C and moderate in Lincoln at 15°C. As night falls, temperatures generally drop to 6°C in Lincoln and -2°C in Mount Cook Village.
In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Christchurch with an average of 54 mm to heavy rainfall in Mount Cook Village with 241 mm. The city Christchurch usually sees around 138 hours of sunlight, indicating a moderately sunny period.
To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Canterbury in May, check out the map below. For more details on the yearly weather, visit our Canterbury climate page.
Where to go in Canterbury in May
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Popular destinations in Canterbury
What is the weather like in May for the 5 most popular destinations in Canterbury?
Average weather in Christchurch
In May Christchurch generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 15°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.
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Average weather in Kaikoura
In May Kaikoura generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 14°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.
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Average weather in Hanmer Springs
In May Hanmer Springs generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 12°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.
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Average weather in Lake Tekapo
In May Lake Tekapo generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 10°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Average weather in Akaroa
In May Akaroa generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 14°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 9°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable 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 May the best time to visit Canterbury?
Given the typically tolerable weather conditions in Christchurch, May might be a good time to visit Canterbury. It's worth noting that weather conditions might differ depending on the location you visit.
Generally speaking, January, February, March and December provide 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.
Interested in the weather conditions in a specific month? Select the month below.
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 climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.