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Wanaka Weather in January

With daytime temperatures of 18°C (64°F) and nighttime lows of 8°C (46°F), January in Wanaka brings pleasant temperatures during the day. Do keep in mind that quite a bit of rainfall is typical. Around 136 mm (5.4 in) falls on average.

Rainfall in Wanaka in January

Looking at the last 30 years, the data shows about 9 days with rain, averaging 136 mm (5.4 in) for the month. The rain this month tends to fall in heavier spells rather than light drizzle. When it rains, showers can be significant.

Temperature in Wanaka in January

January in Wanaka brings pleasant temperatures, with highs of 18°C (64°F) and nights around 8°C (46°F). January is a notable month of the summer season. This creates a mild day-to-night pattern that is generally easy to manage with the right clothing. With lows around 8°C (46°F), nights are cold. The upside is that cool, crisp nights are often the best for a deep sleep.

Sunshine in Wanaka in January

With approximately 231 hours of sunshine, the days are filled with clear skies. It makes it a perfect month for being outside.

Our weather planner can help you find worldwide destinations with pleasant weather during this period. January and February typically offer the best weather for Wanaka.

Wanaka Temperature in January

Min Temperature

8°C (46°F)

Max Temperature

18°C (64°F)

Chance of Rain

29%

Precipitation

136 mm (5.4 in)

Rainy days

9 days

Sunshine

231 hours

Percentage Sunshine

Wanaka Weather by Month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Wanaka - and find the best time to visit.

January

18°C (64°F)View January → February

18°C (64°F)View February → March

16°C (61°F)View March → April

13°C (55°F)View April → May

9°C (48°F)View May → June

5°C (41°F)View June → July

4°C (39°F)View July → August

5°C (41°F)View August → September

8°C (46°F)View September → This monthOctober

11°C (52°F)View October → November

14°C (57°F)View November → December

16°C (61°F)View December →

Best Time to Visit Wanaka →

Daily Historical Temperatures

31-year average (1996-2026)

Based on our historical records, temperatures in Wanaka typically stay consistent throughout January, with daily highs averaging around 18°C (64°F). Nights are cool, with lows typically ranging from 9°C (48°F) to 11°C (52°F).

Average temperatures in January

Daily Historical Precipitation

31-year average (1996-2026)

Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.

Average precipitation in January

Historical weather records for Wanaka in January

Browse day-by-day weather records for Wanaka spanning 32 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.

Wanaka historical weather extremes in January

Based on weather observations in Wanaka between 1996 and 2025, these are the recorded extremes during January.

Wanaka recorded its highest January temperature of 32°C (90°F) on January 29, 2018.
On January 8, 2010, Wanaka saw its coldest January day with temperatures maxing out at 10°C (50°F).
The coldest night in January in Wanaka was on January 28, 2001, with a minimum of 1°C (34°F).
Peak precipitation in January occurred on January 31, 2015, when 46 mm (1.8 in) of precipitation was measured.

Best Places in New Zealand in January

Find out more about the weather in New Zealand and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of New Zealand in January →

Conditions Temperatures Precipitation

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).

Marker color shows the average daytime high temperature in January: blue is cold, red is hot.

Marker color shows total monthly precipitation in January: pale blue is dry, deep blue is wet.

What to Wear in Wanaka in January

For Wanaka in January, you'll want flexible clothing. It's wise to pack cotton shirts, comfortable shorts, and a pair of jeans for cooler evenings. A light sweater or jacket is useful for air-conditioned spaces (like buses) or unexpected cool moments. High rain levels are expected, so pack waterproof gear and an umbrella or poncho. And with plenty of sunshine hours, don’t forget sunglasses, sunscreen, and maybe a sun hat.