Climate - Invercargill (New Zealand)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Invercargill (New Zealand)
Invercargill has an oceanic climate, with quite cold winters (June to August), cool summers (December to February), and frequent rains all year round. Being in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed compared to the northern hemisphere.
The city is located in the extreme south of New Zealand, in a flat area called "Southland Plains", at 46 degrees south latitude, near the coast. We are on the tourist road called Southern Scenic Route. To the northwest, in the extreme edge of the Southern Alps, is the Fiordland National Park.
Off the coast is Stewart Island (or Rakiura), plus other smaller islands.
The city is very windy (and is the second windiest city in New Zealand after Wellington), both because it is exposed to westerly winds, typical of these latitudes, and because, unlike the cities located further north, it is not protected by the southern Alps.
However, in addition to the westerly winds, there may be outbreaks of cold air of Antarctic origin, which can arrive all year round. In fact, in all months, the cold records are below freezing: in January 2000, in the height of summer, the temperature dropped to -1 °C (30 °F). In winter, from June to August, the temperature can drop to -7/-8 °C (18/19 °F), owing to the presence of the sea and the wind, during the day the temperature goes above freezing even on these occasions.
Sometimes it can even snow, even though it doesn't snow every year. Snow is more frequent in the area north of the city, further away from the sea.
However, in summer there can be periods when it gets warm during the day, although the temperature drops a lot at night. The temperature generally reaches 27/28 °C (81/82 °F) on the hottest days, but in recent years, it has occasionally exceeded 30 °C (86 °F). In January 2018 and January 2022 it reached 32 °C (90 °F).
The average temperature ranges from 5.5 °C (42 °F) in July to 14 °C (57 °F) in January and February. Here are the average temperatures.
Invercargill - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 9.4 | 18.9 | 14.2 | 49 | 66 | 57.5 |
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| February | 9.3 | 18.8 | 14 | 49 | 66 | 57.3 |
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| March | 7.8 | 17.5 | 12.6 | 46 | 64 | 54.8 |
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| April | 5.8 | 15.1 | 10.4 | 42 | 59 | 50.8 |
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| May | 4 | 12.6 | 8.3 | 39 | 55 | 46.9 |
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| June | 2 | 10.1 | 6 | 36 | 50 | 42.9 |
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| July | 1.2 | 9.7 | 5.4 | 34 | 49 | 41.8 |
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| August | 2.2 | 11.1 | 6.6 | 36 | 52 | 44 |
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| September | 3.9 | 13.1 | 8.5 | 39 | 56 | 47.3 |
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| October | 5.5 | 14.4 | 10 | 42 | 58 | 49.9 |
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| November | 6.8 | 15.8 | 11.3 | 44 | 60 | 52.3 |
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| December | 8.4 | 17.9 | 13.2 | 47 | 64 | 55.7 |
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| Year | 5.5 | 14.6 | 10 | 41.9 | 58.2 | 50 |
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Precipitation amounts to 1,150 mm (45 in), and is frequent throughout the year, but especially in autumn and winter. Here is the average precipitation.
Invercargill - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 115 | 4.5 | 13 |
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| February | 85 | 3.3 | 10 |
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| March | 95 | 3.7 | 12 |
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| April | 95 | 3.7 | 12 |
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| May | 115 | 4.5 | 15 |
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| June | 105 | 4.1 | 16 |
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| July | 85 | 3.3 | 14 |
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| August | 75 | 3 | 13 |
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| September | 85 | 3.3 | 13 |
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| October | 95 | 3.7 | 14 |
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| November | 90 | 3.5 | 13 |
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| December | 105 | 4.1 | 14 |
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| Year | 1150 | 45.3 | 160 |
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In Invercargill, the sun is not seen very often, and shins for less than 1,700 hours a year.
Invercargill - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 6 | 185 | February | 6 | 165 | March | 4.5 | 145 | April | 4 | 115 | May | 3 | 90 | June | 2.5 | 80 | July | 3 | 100 | August | 4 | 125 | September | 4.5 | 140 | October | 5.5 | 175 | November | 6 | 180 | December | 6 | 190 | Year | 4.6 | 1680 |
The sea is cold even in summer, and only reaches 13 °C (55 °F) in January and February, although it doesn't drop below 10 °C (50 °F) in winter.
Invercargill - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
|---|
January | 13 | 55 | February | 13 | 56 | March | 13 | 55 | April | 12 | 54 | May | 11.5 | 52 | June | 10.5 | 51 | July | 10 | 50 | August | 10 | 50 | September | 10 | 50 | October | 10.5 | 51 | November | 11 | 52 | December | 12 | 53 | Year | 11.3 | 52.4 |
Best Time
The best time to visit Invercargill is the summer, from December to February, as it is the mildest and sunniest time of the year. However, even in summer there can be cold, windy and rainy days.
Invercargill - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the warmest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.2 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) and a maximum of 18.9 °C (66 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to -0.9 °C (30.4 °F) in January 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 32.3 °C (90.1 °F) in January 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
February is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.0 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 9.3 °C (48.7 °F) and a maximum of 18.8 °C (65.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to 0.4 °C (32.7 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 32.1 °C (89.8 °F) in February 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (56 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.6 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 7.8 °C (46 °F) and a maximum of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.5 °C (29.3 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 27.3 °C (81.1 °F) in March 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.4 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 5.8 °C (42.4 °F) and a maximum of 15.1 °C (59.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.5 °C (23.9 °F) in April 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 25.5 °C (77.9 °F) in April 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12 °C (54 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
May is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8.3 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 4 °C (39.2 °F) and a maximum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -4.6 °C (23.7 °F) in May 2008.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 20.9 °C (69.6 °F) in May 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
June is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6.0 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 2 °C (35.6 °F) and a maximum of 10.1 °C (50.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.3 °C (20.7 °F) in June 1995.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it reached 18.4 °C (65.1 °F) in June 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 35 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (51 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.4 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 1.2 °C (34.2 °F) and a maximum of 9.7 °C (49.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9 °C (15.8 °F) in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it reached 16.7 °C (62.1 °F) in July 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (50.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
August is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 6.6 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 2.2 °C (36 °F) and a maximum of 11.1 °C (52 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5.7 °C (21.7 °F) in August 2016.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). However, it reached 18.9 °C (66 °F) in August 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (50 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
September is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8.5 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 3.9 °C (39 °F) and a maximum of 13.1 °C (55.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.3 °C (26.1 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it reached 23.1 °C (73.6 °F) in September 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (50 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.0 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) and a maximum of 14.4 °C (57.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.1 °C (26.4 °F) in October 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 25.4 °C (77.7 °F) in October 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.3 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 6.8 °C (44.2 °F) and a maximum of 15.8 °C (60.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 26.3 °C (79.3 °F) in November 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (51.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
December is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.2 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 8.4 °C (47.1 °F) and a maximum of 17.9 °C (64.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to -0.4 °C (31.3 °F) in December 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 30.2 °C (86.4 °F) in December 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12 °C (53.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
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