Wanaka

Otago Weather in March

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

Planning a trip to Otago, New Zealand this March? Here's what you need to know about the weather:

What to Expect in Otago in March

Otago, New Zealand is a region in New Zealand. March in Otago generally has temperatures that range from mild to pleasant, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy.

Temperatures

The average highest temperatures fluctuate between mild in Glenorchy at 14°C (57°F) to pleasant in Waitati at 18°C (64°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 9°C (48°F) in Waitati and 5°C (41°F) in Glenorchy.

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

Precipitation

In March, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Herbert with an average of 61 mm (2.4 in) to heavy rainfall in Makarora with 200 mm (7.9 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine is moderately available across various locations. In Queenstown, you can expect around 187 hours of sunlight in March, which gives a pleasant combination of sun and shade. For those who want maximum sunshine, our weather planner can point you toward the sunniest places on Earth.

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)

Best Places to Visit in Otago in March

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

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 March for some of the most popular destinations in Otago, New Zealand?

Temperature range in Otago (March)

Precipitation variation in Otago (March)

Queenstown

In March Queenstown generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 15°C (59°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C (43°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
17°C (63°F)
15°C (59°F)
12°C (54°F)
Min temperature
7°C (45°F)
6°C (43°F)
3°C (37°F)
Monthly sun hours
207 hours
187 hours
145 hours
Monthly rainfall
115 mm (4.5 in)
116 mm (4.6 in)
114 mm (4.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
10 days
11 days
Weather conditions

Wanaka

In March Wanaka generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 16°C (61°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
18°C (64°F)
16°C (61°F)
13°C (55°F)
Min temperature
8°C (46°F)
7°C (45°F)
4°C (39°F)
Monthly sun hours
201 hours
182 hours
163 hours
Monthly rainfall
109 mm (4.3 in)
112 mm (4.4 in)
110 mm (4.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
7 days
9 days
9 days
Weather conditions

Oamaru

In March Oamaru generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 17°C (63°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 11°C (52°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
18°C (64°F)
17°C (63°F)
15°C (59°F)
Min temperature
12°C (54°F)
11°C (52°F)
9°C (48°F)
Monthly rainfall
87 mm (3.4 in)
63 mm (2.5 in)
68 mm (2.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
12 days
9 days
Weather conditions

Cromwell

In March Cromwell generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 16°C (61°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C (43°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
19°C (66°F)
16°C (61°F)
13°C (55°F)
Min temperature
8°C (46°F)
6°C (43°F)
3°C (37°F)
Monthly sun hours
201 hours
182 hours
163 hours
Monthly rainfall
91 mm (3.6 in)
86 mm (3.4 in)
82 mm (3.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
6 days
8 days
8 days
Weather conditions

Alexandra

In March Alexandra generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 17°C (63°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C (43°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
19°C (66°F)
17°C (63°F)
13°C (55°F)
Min temperature
8°C (46°F)
6°C (43°F)
3°C (37°F)
Monthly sun hours
207 hours
187 hours
145 hours
Monthly rainfall
85 mm (3.3 in)
74 mm (2.9 in)
71 mm (2.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
7 days
8 days
8 days
Weather conditions

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

Popular cities in March

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

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Queenstown 15°C (59°F) 6°C (43°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Wanaka 16°C (61°F) 7°C (45°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Oamaru 17°C (63°F) 11°C (52°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Cromwell 16°C (61°F) 6°C (43°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Alexandra 17°C (63°F) 6°C (43°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Clyde 16°C (61°F) 6°C (43°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)

Otago weather in March: frequently asked questions

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

Expect unpleasant weather across Otago, New Zealand in March. The popular destination of Queenstown averages 15°C (59°F) by day and 6°C (43°F) at night during this month.

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

Average temperatures in Otago, New Zealand during March range from a nighttime low near 6°C (43°F) to a daytime high around 15°C (59°F) in Queenstown.

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

Yes, March tends to be a wetter month in Otago, New Zealand. Average rainfall in Queenstown sits around 116 mm (4.6 in).

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

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

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

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