AI-generatedInvercargill at a glance
- Best time
- Dec – Feb
- Warmest month
- Jan · 18°
- Warmest sea
- Feb · 15.4°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,770 h
- Rain a year
- 1,023 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+13 / UTC+12
- Elevation
- 6 m
Climate in Invercargill
Invercargill has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. January is the warmest month with average highs of 18 °C, while July is the coolest at 9 °C. With around 1,770 hours of sunshine a year, Invercargill is moderately sunny; January is the sunniest month with 6.5 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Poor
Best time to visit: December – February
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 8°
- Midday, 13:00: about 13°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 13°
- Evening, 20:00: about 11°
- Night, 23:00: about 9°
06:5220:12
Cold evenings: bring a warm jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 06:33–07:33 · evening 19:32–20:31
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:21–06:33 · evening 20:31–20:43
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Invercargill in October?
In October, Invercargill is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 11.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 18 days, adding up to 106 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 29 km/h. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Invercargill.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 13 h 20 min06:52 – 20:12
- UV index
- 6 · highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 29 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 70 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Time zone
- UTC+13Pacific/Auckland
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %0 %
- Seaweight 25 %0 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %45 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %4 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
- Windproof jacket
Sea temperature in Invercargill
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 11.2 – 12.4 °C
Swimming season: Never above 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Invercargill ranges from 10.5 °C in August to 15.4 °C in February. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in February, while the air already peaks in January. From May to August the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in February, eight out of ten years were between 14.5 and 16.7 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 14.9° | 14.1° | 16.1° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 15.4° | 14.5° | 16.7° | cold |
| MarchMar | 14.9° | 14.0° | 16.2° | cold |
| AprilApr | 13.9° | 13.1° | 14.9° | cold |
| MayMay | 12.8° | 12.1° | 13.6° | cold |
| JuneJun | 11.5° | 10.7° | 12.2° | cold |
| JulyJul | 10.7° | 10.0° | 11.4° | cold |
| AugustAug | 10.5° | 9.9° | 11.3° | cold |
| SeptemberSep | 11.0° | 10.3° | 11.5° | cold |
| OctoberOct | 11.7° | 11.2° | 12.4° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 12.9° | 12.1° | 13.7° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 14.0° | 13.0° | 15.2° | cold |
Sunshine hours in Invercargill
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 5.7 of 13.3 hours of daylight in Invercargill, 43 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 3 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Invercargill
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 6 · highSeek shade around midday; sunscreen SPF 30+, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in December (UV 8).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 25 min
- Fair skin
- about 30 min
- Light brown skin
- about 40 min
- Olive skin
- about 50 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Invercargill: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Invercargill has about 18 rainy days with 106 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Invercargill
How breezy and how cloudy Invercargill is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Invercargill typically peaks at 29 km/h during the day: Beaufort 5, fresh breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting, and here it gets there all year.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 70 % of the sky over Invercargill: mostly cloudy, with about 5.7 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Invercargill
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
ColdOctober: nights around 6°. The room should be heated.
The coolest nights are in July (3°), the warmest in January (11°). Nights fall below 8 °C on average from May to October, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 18 | 18° | 11° | 14.9° | 6.5 h | 14 | 95 |
| FebruaryFeb | 20 | 18° | 11° | 15.4° | 6.2 h | 11 | 84 |
| MarchMar | 13 | 17° | 9° | 14.9° | 4.9 h | 13 | 85 |
| AprilApr | 11 | 14° | 8° | 13.9° | 4.1 h | 13 | 81 |
| MayMay | 5 | 12° | 6° | 12.8° | 3.1 h | 15 | 87 |
| JuneJun | 5 | 9° | 4° | 11.5° | 2.8 h | 14 | 72 |
| JulyJul | 8 | 9° | 3° | 10.7° | 3.3 h | 13 | 63 |
| AugustAug | 10 | 10° | 4° | 10.5° | 4.0 h | 14 | 63 |
| SeptemberSep | 10 | 12° | 5° | 11.0° | 4.9 h | 15 | 89 |
| OctoberOct | 10 | 13° | 6° | 11.7° | 5.7 h | 18 | 106 |
| NovemberNov | 13 | 15° | 8° | 12.9° | 6.2 h | 17 | 100 |
| DecemberDec | 15 | 17° | 10° | 14.0° | 6.5 h | 15 | 98 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
46.40° S, 168.35° E · 6 m · Pacific/Auckland
Best time to visit Invercargill
The best time to visit Invercargill is from December to February. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in February it only reaches 15.4 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable in February. Rain is most frequent from March to January; the wettest month is October with 106 mm.
Invercargill through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Invercargill in spring
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 12–15 °C by day
- Sea 12 °C
- 6 h of sun a day
- 49 rainy days in all
Invercargill in summer
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 17–18 °C by day
- Sea 15 °C
- 6 h of sun a day
- 40 rainy days in all
Invercargill in autumn
Mar – May
Poor
- 12–17 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 4 h of sun a day
- 41 rainy days in all
Invercargill in winter
Jun – Aug
Poor
- 9–10 °C by day
- Sea 11 °C
- 3 h of sun a day
- 41 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Invercargill for you.
Your best months: December – February
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Invercargill
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
February has the better holiday weather in Invercargill: score 20 against 10. In February, days are 5 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 4 °C warmer in February. February has 7 fewer rainy days. The sun shines an hour longer a day in February.
| Month | October | February |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 10 | 20better |
| Day high | 13° | 18° |
| Night low | 6° | 11° |
| Sea | 11.7° | 15.4° |
| Sunshine | 5.7 h | 6.2 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 18 | 11better |
| Rainfall | 106 mm | 84 mmbetter |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Feb
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Mar – Jan
12 or more rainy days
Invercargill month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
18January18° · Sea 15° · 7 h
In January, Invercargill is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 14.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 95 mm in total. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Invercargill.
Invercargill in January20February18° · Sea 15° · 6 h
In February, Invercargill is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 15.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 84 mm in total. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Invercargill.
Invercargill in February13March17° · Sea 15° · 5 h
In March, Invercargill is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 14.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 85 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Invercargill.
Invercargill in March11April14° · Sea 14° · 4 h
In April, Invercargill is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 13.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 81 mm in total. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Invercargill.
Invercargill in April5May12° · Sea 13° · 3 h
In May, Invercargill is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 12.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 87 mm. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Invercargill.
Invercargill in May5June9° · Sea 12° · 3 h
In June, Invercargill is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 11.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 72 mm. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Invercargill.
Invercargill in June8July9° · Sea 11° · 3 h
In July, Invercargill is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 10.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 63 mm in total. All in all, July is not an ideal month for a holiday in Invercargill.
Invercargill in July10August10° · Sea 11° · 4 h
In August, Invercargill is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 10.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 63 mm in total. All in all, August is not an ideal month for a holiday in Invercargill.
Invercargill in August10September12° · Sea 11° · 5 h
In September, Invercargill is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sea averages 11.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 89 mm. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Invercargill.
Invercargill in September10October13° · Sea 12° · 6 h
In October, Invercargill is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 11.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 18 days, adding up to 106 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 29 km/h. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Invercargill.
Invercargill in October13November15° · Sea 13° · 6 h
In November, Invercargill is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 12.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 17 days, adding up to 100 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 29 km/h. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Invercargill.
Invercargill in November15December17° · Sea 14° · 7 h
In December, Invercargill is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 14.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 98 mm. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Invercargill.
Invercargill in DecemberInvercargill compared
Put Invercargill side by side with another destination.
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Invercargill vs. Queenstown
In October the holiday weather in Invercargill and Queenstown is about equally good (score 10 vs. 14). During the day Queenstown is 2 °C cooler than Invercargill.
| in October | Invercargill | Queenstown |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 10 | 14 |
| Daytime high | 13° | 11° |
| Sea | 12° | – |
| Sunshine | 6 h | 6 h |
| Rainy days | 18 | 15 |
| Best time | Dec – Feb | Dec – Mar |
Through the year
New Zealand in October: the best places
In October, Invercargill ranks 9 of 9 destinations in this country.
- Tauranga17°16°68
- 2Auckland17°16°66
- 3Christchurch15°63
- 4Wellington14°13°51
- 5Queenstown11°40
- 6Whangārei17°16°20
- 7Nelson15°14°18
- 8Dunedin13°11°14
- 9InvercargillThis page13°12°10
Planning a trip to Invercargill
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Invercargill in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Invercargill has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 17) and its weakest during May half-term (score 5).
- 12
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 15 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 4.3 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 5
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 11 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 3.0 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 9
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Poor
- 10 °C by day
- Sea 11 °C
- 3.8 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 10
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 13 °C by day
- Sea 12 °C
- 5.7 h of sun a day
- 18 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 17
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
PoorBest holidays
- 17 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 6.5 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 23 h 25 min
- Distance
- 19,020 km
- Time zone
- UTC+13
- Jet lag
- About 12 days (12 h east)
Rule of thumb for flying east: for a few days before, go to bed and get up a little earlier, and get plenty of morning light at your destination.
Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Frequently asked questions about Invercargill
When is the best time to visit Invercargill?
The best time to visit Invercargill is from December to February. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Invercargill?
The sea temperature in Invercargill ranges from 10.5 °C in August to 15.4 °C in February. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Invercargill in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 11.7 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Invercargill?
January is the warmest month, with average highs of 18 °C and nights around 11 °C. July is the coolest month at 9 °C.
When does it rain most in Invercargill?
Rain is most frequent from March to January; the wettest month is October with 106 mm. The driest month is August with 63 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Invercargill get?
Invercargill gets around 1,770 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is January with 6.5 hours a day; in June there are 2.8 hours a day.
What time zone is Invercargill in?
Invercargill uses the time zone Pacific/Auckland: UTC+13 in January and UTC+12 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Invercargill?
A nonstop flight from London to Invercargill takes about 23 h 25 min, for a straight-line distance of about 19,020 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Which school holidays are best for Invercargill?
Invercargill has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 17) and its weakest during May half-term (score 5). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 12, May half-term 5, Summer holidays 9, October half-term 10, Christmas holidays 17.
Near Invercargill
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Invercargill
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Invercargill's – good alternatives.