Fiordland’s Unique Weather
Fiordland's weather gives the region its unique and invigorating character. An immense amount of water creates a land rich with lakes, rivers, streams, waterfalls, and fiords.
The predominant weather system comes from the west. As the air heats up over the great continent of Australia and moves out over the Tasman Sea, a great deal of evaporation occurs, causing the air to become heavy with moisture. The first landmass this air meets is the Southern Alps. As it rises to move over the mountains, it cools and condenses, falling as rain - often heavy.
Locals joke that more than three days in Fiordland without rain is a drought! Although there is a great amount of rainfall, there can also be periods of settled, warm weather, especially in the summer months.
The area of Fiordland transects a steep gradient from the open ocean and coastal environments to high mountain peaks and sheltered valleys. This rugged terrain can cause localised weather events, with the mountains sheltering inland areas from showers. The rainfall varies significantly from areas immediately at the coastline to mountain passes, meaning that Piopiotahi / Milford Sound can experience above-average rainfall whilst Te Anau is below average.
WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE IN FIORDLAND & TE ANAU THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
SPRING
September-November
This is the equinox period, a time when Fiordland often experiences unsettled weather patterns, including more wind and rain than at other times of the year. The occasional storm, which may bring snow to low levels, is also common. Around Fiordland, you will see lambs, daffodils, and cherry blossoms. Daylight savings start in October, making the evenings even longer.
SUMMER
December-February
These are the warmest months of the year when temperatures can reach up to 30 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit). Although wind and rain are still common, there will likely be longer periods of settled weather in summer. Daylight hours are long, with dawn at about 5.30 am and dusk at about 9.30 pm. In the height of summer, the hottest hours of the day are from about 3.30 pm. Join the local children and families at any of the beaches for a BBQ and an evening swim. You might even like to jump off Te Anau's famous wharf.
AUTUMN
March-May
Autumn continues to bring pleasant weather. March is often warm, and things generally begin to cool down towards the end of April and into May. Daylight hours start to shorten, and although the native forest remains green, the exotic trees in the townships start to change to vibrant colours. Late autumn brings the crispness of early morning frosts and mist. The trees start to come alive as temperatures begin to drop.
WINTER
June-August
Surprisingly, winter in Fiordland is the most settled time of year. Although the daylight hours are much shorter, with sunrise being about 8.30 am and sunset at about 4.30 pm, the skies are often blue and cloudless. The air is crisp and fresh, and snow is seen on the mountains. A trip into Piopiotahi / Milford Sound is a spectacular event with snow to low levels. Winter is also the best time of year to see the aurora australis (Southern Lights) in Fiordland. Bring lots of layers, including a warm hat and gloves, and you will feel more alive than ever.
Check out the current weather forecast for Fiordland here.
