SeasonMapFranz Josef weather in December
New Zealand
December in Franz Josef: nice, soaked, with clean air — fine if you can take 20 rainy days.
#5 of 12 months in Franz Josef · #662 of 1383 destinations to visit in December · comfort 72/100 (tier B)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Franz Josef in December
Other months in Franz Josef
Franz Josef's forum is candid that January's warm, long days come with the West Coast's notoriously dramatic weather — brilliant sunshine one minute, monsoon-style downpours the next. Regulars actually rate winter (July/August) as more settled for clear, flyable glacier days, even though January is warmer and busier.
Add your own note from Franz Josef's card on the map.
Franz Josef climate normals — December
| Daytime high | 17°C / 62°F | 😎 nice |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 11°C / 52°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 17°C / 63°F | |
| Sea temperature | 17°C / 62°F | 🧊 bracing |
| Rainfall | 387 mm / 15.2 in | ⛈ soaked |
| Rainy days | 20 days | |
| Humidity | 83% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | 11°C / 52°F | |
| Sunshine | 11.2 h/day | |
| Daylight | 15.3 h | |
| Wind | 17 km/h / 11 mph | |
| Snowfall | 0.2 cm / 0.1 in | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 29 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Franz Josef in December
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
Peak crowdsSummer peak in the village, Summer holidays in New Zealand, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Franz Josef's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Fair weatherFranz Josef's weather doesn't swing hard through the year — comfort stays fairly steady in every month.
What's on in Franz Josef in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Hazard
Highway closures in heavy rain
1 Jan – 31 DecFlood seasonClosuresThere is one road in and one road out, and a big West Coast rain event closes it north or south of the village a few times a year. Check the highway before you commit to a night here. Source ↗
- Hazard
Sandflies at their worst
1 Nov – 31 Mar · usuallyInsect seasonSandflies are here all year and unbearable in the warm months, worst on still overcast days by the river and at the glacier car park. Repellent and covered ankles are not optional. Source ↗
- Holiday
Summer peak in the village
20 Dec – 5 Feb · usuallySchool holidaysCrowdedBook earlyThe village doubles over the New Zealand holidays and the heli-hike slots go weeks ahead. Book the flight for your first morning here, because the second one may be weathered out. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Franz Josef — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Franz Josef?
Franz Josef in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Franz Josef?
- December in Franz Josef: nice, soaked, with clean air — fine if you can take 20 rainy days. It ranks #5 of 12 months for Franz Josef on SeasonMap's comfort score (72/100).
- What is the weather like in Franz Josef in December?
- In December, Franz Josef averages a daily high of 16.8°C and a low of 11°C, with about 387 mm of rain over roughly 19.5 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Franz Josef in December?
- Franz Josef has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 29 in December.
Other months in Franz Josef
Compare Franz Josef in December
Warmer or cooler than Franz Josef in December
Similar destinations in Oceania — December
Within 300 km: Lake Tekapo's Lupins along the lake around 15 Nov – 10 Jan, and Queenstown's Lupins along the roads around 15 Nov – 5 Jan.