Climate in Wellington (New Zealand)

Wellington has an oceanic climate, with mild, rainy winters (from June to August) and very mild summers (from December to March). Being in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed compared to the northern hemisphere.
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and is located in the southern part of the North Island, in the Cook Strait, which is very windy. In fact, Wellington is considered the windiest city in the world. On the plus side, pollution is virtually non-existent.
Given the location, at 41 degrees south latitude, Wellington is also the southernmost capital in the world.
Some suburbs are located on the hills west of the city, for example Brooklyn is at 140 meters (460 feet) and Karori at 170 meters (555 ft).

The daytime temperatures are around 12/13 °C (54/55 °F) in winter and 20/21 °C (68/70 °F) in summer.
Annual precipitation in Wellington amounts to 1,250 mm (49 in). The rainiest period is from May to August, which is also the one with the most frequent rains (12/13 days per month) and the lowest amount of sunshine (3/4 sunshine hours per day). Even in summer, however, it rains on average for 7 days per month.
The sun in Wellington shines for about 2,000 hours a year, a level below which the climate can be considered as not sunny (for example, London has an average of 1,675 hours of sunshine per year and Madrid 2,835).
The sea in Wellington is always cold, however, it reaches 17/18 °C (63/64 °F) from January to March.



Even though the winter is mild, the wind, which often blows, increases the sensation of cold. Furthermore, sometimes there can be quite cold periods, with lows just above freezing and highs of 8/10 °C (46/50 °F). At night, the temperature almost never drops below freezing. In July 1968 it dropped to -1 °C (30 °F).
Snow in Wellington is very rare, although there was a snowfall in August 2011, the most abundant since June 1976.

In summer, there can be cool, windy and rainy days, with highs of 16/17 °C (61/63 °F). On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches 25/26 °C (77/79 °F). The heat record is 30 °C (86 °F).

From time to time, the North Island can be affected by tropical cyclones, which can leave the tropical zone and head south. In the last few decades, tropical cyclones or their remains have affected New Zealand from mid-December to April 20, with a higher frequency from January to March.

Best Time

The best time to visit Wellington 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 cool, rainy and windy periods.
In addition, it should be remembered that tropical cyclones or their remnants can come from time to time.

Wellington - Climate data

In Wellington, the average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 10 °C (49.9 °F), that of the warmest month (February) is of 18.2 °C (64.8 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 1250 millimeters (49.2 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 75 mm (3 in) in the driest month (February) to 135 mm (5.3 in) in the wettest one (July). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 12.5 °C (54 °F) in August, September to 18 °C (64 °F) in February. Here are the average sea temperatures.
There are on average around 2060 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Wellington - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 18 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 15 °C (59 °F) and a maximum of 20.9 °C (69.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in January 2016.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in January 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 27 kph (17 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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February, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.2 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 15.2 °C (59.4 °F) and a maximum of 21.2 °C (70.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.5 °C (43.7 °F) in February 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in February 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 25 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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March is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.8 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 14 °C (57.2 °F) and a maximum of 19.6 °C (67.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.5 °C (43.7 °F) in March 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 24 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14.6 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 11.9 °C (53.4 °F) and a maximum of 17.2 °C (63 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) in April 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in April 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 24 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) and a maximum of 15.4 °C (59.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in May 2015.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in May 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 24 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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June is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.8 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) and a maximum of 13.2 °C (55.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in June 2009.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62 °F). However, it reached 18 °C (64.4 °F) in June 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 10 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 25 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F) and a maximum of 12.4 °C (54.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in July 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it reached 18 °C (64.4 °F) in July 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 24 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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August is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.4 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 8 °C (46.4 °F) and a maximum of 12.9 °C (55.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to 0.3 °C (32.5 °F) in August 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it reached 18 °C (64.4 °F) in August 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 24 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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September is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.8 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 9.3 °C (48.7 °F) and a maximum of 14.3 °C (57.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in September 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in September 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 26 kph (16 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 10.4 °C (50.7 °F) and a maximum of 15.7 °C (60.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in October 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 28 kph (17 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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November is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14.6 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 11.8 °C (53.2 °F) and a maximum of 17.4 °C (63.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in November 2002.
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 28 °C (82.4 °F) in November 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 27 kph (17 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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December is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.8 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 13.9 °C (57 °F) and a maximum of 19.6 °C (67.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.8 °C (44.2 °F) in December 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in December 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 5 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 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 27 kph (17 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.