Wanaka

Otago Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Otago, New Zealand in January.

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Queenstown Wanaka Oamaru Cromwell

Are you planning a trip a to Otago, New Zealand in January and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.

What to Expect in Otago in January

Otago, New Zealand is a region in New Zealand. January in Otago generally has temperatures that range from mild to pleasant, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy. The month of January is in the summer season.

Temperatures

The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from mild in Glenorchy at 16°C (61°F) to pleasant in Ophir at 20°C (68°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 9°C (48°F) in Ophir and 6°C (43°F) in Glenorchy.

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

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Ophir with an average of 90 mm (3.5 in) to heavy rainfall in Makarora with 237 mm (9.3 in).

Average sunshine

Plenty of sunshine can be expected in numerous places in January. Queenstown typically receives 230 hours of sunlight, making it ideal for those seeking sunny weather.

Explore Otago by month

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

January17°C (63°F) February17°C (63°F) March15°C (59°F) April12°C (54°F) May8°C (46°F) June4°C (39°F) This monthJuly3°C (37°F) August4°C (39°F) September6°C (43°F) October9°C (48°F) November13°C (55°F) December15°C (59°F)
Best Time to Visit Otago →

Best Places to Visit in Otago in January

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

Conditions 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).

Popular Destinations in Otago

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

Temperature range in Otago (January)

Precipitation variation in Otago (January)

Queenstown

In January Queenstown generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 17°C (63°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are mixed that month.

« December
January
February »
December
January
February
Max temperature
15°C (59°F)
17°C (63°F)
17°C (63°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
7°C (45°F)
7°C (45°F)
Monthly sun hours
223 hours
230 hours
207 hours
Monthly rainfall
149 mm (5.9 in)
143 mm (5.6 in)
115 mm (4.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
11 days
9 days
Weather conditions
mixed
mixed
mixed
Climate in Queenstown →

Wanaka

In January Wanaka generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 18°C (64°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 8°C (46°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are good that month.

« December
January
February »
December
January
February
Max temperature
16°C (61°F)
18°C (64°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
7°C (45°F)
8°C (46°F)
8°C (46°F)
Monthly sun hours
212 hours
231 hours
201 hours
Monthly rainfall
147 mm (5.8 in)
136 mm (5.4 in)
109 mm (4.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
11 days
9 days
7 days
Weather conditions
mixed
good
good
Climate in Wanaka →

Oamaru

In January Oamaru generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 18°C (64°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 12°C (54°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are very good that month.

« December
January
February »
December
January
February
Max temperature
17°C (63°F)
18°C (64°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
11°C (52°F)
12°C (54°F)
12°C (54°F)
Monthly rainfall
92 mm (3.6 in)
91 mm (3.6 in)
87 mm (3.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
10 days
10 days
Weather conditions
good
very good
very good
Climate in Oamaru →

Cromwell

In January Cromwell generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 18°C (64°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 8°C (46°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are good that month.

« December
January
February »
December
January
February
Max temperature
17°C (63°F)
18°C (64°F)
19°C (66°F)
Min temperature
7°C (45°F)
8°C (46°F)
8°C (46°F)
Monthly sun hours
212 hours
231 hours
201 hours
Monthly rainfall
116 mm (4.6 in)
111 mm (4.4 in)
91 mm (3.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
8 days
6 days
Weather conditions
mixed
good
very good
Climate in Cromwell →

Alexandra

In January Alexandra generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 19°C (66°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 8°C (46°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are good that month.

« December
January
February »
December
January
February
Max temperature
17°C (63°F)
19°C (66°F)
19°C (66°F)
Min temperature
7°C (45°F)
8°C (46°F)
8°C (46°F)
Monthly sun hours
223 hours
230 hours
207 hours
Monthly rainfall
103 mm (4.1 in)
101 mm (4 in)
85 mm (3.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
8 days
7 days
Weather conditions
mixed
good
very good
Climate in Alexandra →

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

In our records: New Zealand January extremes

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

  • From our sources, the wettest January day in New Zealand brought 219 mm (8.6 in) in Whangarei on January 19, 2018.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Otago in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Queenstown 17°C (63°F) 7°C (45°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Wanaka 18°C (64°F) 8°C (46°F) 136 mm (5.4 in)
Oamaru 18°C (64°F) 12°C (54°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Cromwell 18°C (64°F) 8°C (46°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Alexandra 19°C (66°F) 8°C (46°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Clyde 19°C (66°F) 8°C (46°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)

Otago weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Otago, New Zealand in January?

Otago, New Zealand typically experiences mixed weather in January, part of the summer season. Daytime highs in Queenstown average around 17°C (63°F), and temperatures drop to about 7°C (45°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in Otago, New Zealand in January?

Queenstown averages a daytime maximum of 17°C (63°F) in January, with overnight lows close to 7°C (45°F).

Does Otago, New Zealand get a lot of rain in January?

Otago, New Zealand sees substantial rainfall in January. Queenstown typically averages about 143 mm (5.6 in), a mix of wet and dry days, but bring an umbrella.

Is January a Good Time to Visit Otago, New Zealand?

In our opinion, January is one of the best times to visit Otago, New Zealand, but the weather is often mixed in Queenstown.

On average, the best time to visit Otago, New Zealand is in January, February, March and December with generally mixed weather in Queenstown.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Otago.

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.

The Tongariro Crossing in New Zealand

It is called the most beautiful walk in New Zealand, the Tongariro Crossing. The official hiking season starts late October until end of April.

White-water sledge and raft in Rotorua

We recommend to white-water sledge and raft in Rotorua in summer (January, February) when the Glacier melt fills the rivers. This is the best time.
Must visit in New Zealand →