SeasonMapLake Tekapo (Tekapo) weather in December
New Zealand
December in Lake Tekapo: nice, rainy, with clean air — an excellent time to visit.
#4 of 12 months in Lake Tekapo · #212 of 1383 destinations to visit in December · comfort 87/100 (tier A)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Lake Tekapo in December
Other months in Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo's forum calls January warm and pleasant, but flags a real catch for the stargazing the town is famous for — summer's short nights mean less darkness to work with, and regulars say autumn and winter actually deliver the longer nights and often clearer skies. A commercial tour isn't required either: walking or driving to the lake edge after dark gets much the same view for free.
Add your own note from Lake Tekapo's card on the map.
Lake Tekapo climate normals — December
| Daytime high | 17°C / 62°F | 😎 nice |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 8°C / 47°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 16°C / 61°F | |
| Rainfall | 122 mm / 4.8 in | 🌧 rainy |
| Rainy days | 14 days | |
| Humidity | 72% | 💧 humid |
| Dew point | 7°C / 45°F | |
| Sunshine | 11.3 h/day | |
| Daylight | 15.4 h | |
| Wind | 12 km/h / 7 mph | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 19 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Lake Tekapo 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 crowdsLupins along the lake, New Zealand summer holidays, Summer holidays in New Zealand(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Lake Tekapo'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 weatherLake Tekapo's weather peaks January–March.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Lake Tekapo in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Nature
Lupins along the lake
15 Nov – 10 Jan · usuallyWildflowers & bloomsCrowdedRussell lupins take the lakeshore and the river flats for about six weeks from late November. They are an introduced weed the region is trying to control, and they photograph beautifully anyway.
- Holiday
New Zealand summer holidays
20 Dec – 1 Feb · usuallySchool holidaysCrowdedEvery car between Christchurch and Queenstown stops at the church for a photograph, and in January that is a queue. Early morning is the only quiet hour the lakefront gets. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Lake Tekapo — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Lake Tekapo?
Lake Tekapo in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Lake Tekapo?
- December in Lake Tekapo: nice, rainy, with clean air — an excellent time to visit. It ranks #4 of 12 months for Lake Tekapo on SeasonMap's comfort score (87/100).
- What is the weather like in Lake Tekapo in December?
- In December, Lake Tekapo averages a daily high of 16.9°C and a low of 8.4°C, with about 121.5 mm of rain over roughly 14.1 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Lake Tekapo in December?
- Lake Tekapo has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 19 in December.
Other months in Lake Tekapo
Compare Lake Tekapo in December
Warmer or cooler than Lake Tekapo in December
Similar destinations in Oceania — December
Within 300 km: Queenstown's Lupins along the roads around 15 Nov – 5 Jan, and Te Anau's Great Walks season around 25 Oct – 30 Apr.