Catlins Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in the Catlins, New Zealand in December.

Thinking about venturing to the Catlins, New Zealand this December and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in the Catlins in December

The Catlins, New Zealand is a region in New Zealand. December in the Catlins generally has mild temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to high.

Temperatures

You can expect mild maximum daytime temperatures of around 17°C (63°F) and nighttime temperatures around 9°C (48°F) in Owaka.

For specific regional insights in the Catlins, New Zealand, refer to the map provided below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Kaka Point with an average of 100 mm (3.9 in) to high rainfall in Waikawa with 120 mm (4.7 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine amounts are decent in most places. Owaka gets approximately 182 hours of sunlight in December, offering a reasonable amount of both bright and cloudy periods. Curious about sunnier destinations? Our weather planner makes it easy to find places worldwide with pleasant weather.

Explore the Catlins by month

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

Best Places to Visit in the Catlins in December

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

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 the Catlins

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

Temperature range in the Catlins (December)

Precipitation variation in the Catlins (December)

Owaka

In December Owaka generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 17°C (63°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 9°C (48°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
15°C (59°F)
17°C (63°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
8°C (46°F)
9°C (48°F)
10°C (50°F)
Monthly sun hours
169 hours
182 hours
174 hours
Monthly rainfall
100 mm (3.9 in)
106 mm (4.2 in)
114 mm (4.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
18 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Kaka Point

In December Kaka Point generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 17°C (63°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 10°C (50°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
15°C (59°F)
17°C (63°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
8°C (46°F)
10°C (50°F)
11°C (52°F)
Monthly sun hours
169 hours
182 hours
174 hours
Monthly rainfall
94 mm (3.7 in)
100 mm (3.9 in)
109 mm (4.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
18 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Waikawa

In December Waikawa generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 16°C (61°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 10°C (50°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
15°C (59°F)
16°C (61°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
8°C (46°F)
10°C (50°F)
11°C (52°F)
Monthly sun hours
183 hours
192 hours
187 hours
Monthly rainfall
123 mm (4.8 in)
120 mm (4.7 in)
130 mm (5.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
17 days
19 days
Weather conditions

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

Popular cities in December

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in the Catlins in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Owaka 17°C (63°F) 9°C (48°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Kaka Point 17°C (63°F) 10°C (50°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Waikawa 16°C (61°F) 10°C (50°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)

The Catlins weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in the Catlins, New Zealand in December?

December in the Catlins, New Zealand brings unpleasant weather. In Owaka, daytime temperatures are typically around 17°C (63°F) and nighttime lows hover near 9°C (48°F).

What is the average temperature in the Catlins, New Zealand in December?

Average temperatures in the Catlins, New Zealand during December range from a nighttime low near 9°C (48°F) to a daytime high around 17°C (63°F) in Owaka.

Does the Catlins, New Zealand get a lot of rain in December?

the Catlins, New Zealand sees substantial rainfall in December. Owaka typically averages about 106 mm (4.2 in), a mix of wet and dry days, but bring an umbrella.

Is December a Good Time to Visit the Catlins, New Zealand?

Given the typically unpleasant weather conditions in Owaka, December may not be the ideal time to visit the Catlins, New Zealand.

Generally speaking, February provides pleasant weather in Owaka. In contrast, July tends to have poor weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in the Catlins.

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.