In July, the Te Araroa trail from Queenstown to Bluff experiences a wide range of weather conditions, with significant regional variations. In Fiordland, the weather features cold temperatures, frequent rain showers, and occasional snow showers, especially in the higher altitudes. Moving into Southland, the climate becomes slightly milder but no less wet, with rain, overcast skies, and occasional clear spells. Highs range from lows near freezing in Fiordland to more moderate temperatures closer to the coast in Southland, where lows rarely fall below freezing. Precipitation is frequent and can be intense at times, especially in the mountains, with periods of heavy rain showers along the route.
In Fiordland, starting from Queenstown, there is a mix of partly cloudy skies and frequent rain, with temperatures ranging from -3°C to 9°C. As hikers proceed to Greenstone, the weather continues to show variability with snow showers and occasional heavy rain, with highs between -1°C and 9°C. At Greenstone Hut, the weather remains overcast with periodic moderate rain showers and highs around 5°C to 10°C. Moving on to Taipo Hut, weather conditions include cloud cover and patchy rain, with highs of 0°C to 9°C. Careys Hut experiences overcast skies interspersed with sunshine and rain showers, ranging between 2°C to 8°C. Approaching Fiordland Community, the pattern of overcast skies and moderate rain is maintained, with highs typically near 0°C to 8°C. At The Key, snow showers and freezing temperatures can be expected, with lows plummeting to -6°C.
Entering Southland at Aparima Hut, walkers face overcast skies with occasional snow showers and temperatures between 2°C and 7°C. Lower Wairaki Hut presents patchy rain and overcast weather, highs averaging around 7°C, with a notable increase in rainy days. Mackinnons Garden is marked by heavy rain at times and patchy clouds, with temperatures peaking at 10°C. As the trail reaches Birchwood and Wallace Takitimu Community, there are sunny spells interspersed with clouds and moderate rain, with highs reaching 13°C. Ferndunlaw and Martin's Hut continue this pattern, revealing heavier bouts of moderate rain mixed with sunshine, with highs climbing up to 14°C. Approaching Round Hill, weather conditions alternate between patchy rain and occasional showers, with temperatures reaching 12°C. Riverton sees cloudy conditions prevail, with moments of heavy rain, and peaks at 14°C. Finally, at Oreti Beach and Greenpoint, the weather is characterized by occasional sun breaks between bouts of rain, maintaining highs around 13°C. The trail concludes at Bluff with varied weather from rain showers to cloudy days, with temperatures ranging between 7°C and 15°C.
Would you like me to add a new feature to the app? Or did you notice that something isn't working the way it should? Please Let me know!