Weather New Zealand – Weather in New Zealand

In New Zealand, weather and climate is heavily influenced by proximity to the sea, the topography (namely the Southern Alps) and the unique latitude zone it lies in (I.e. between 37 and 47 degrees south of the Tropic of Capricorn). The two islands of New Zealand have a moderate, maritime climate and sunshine is generally plentiful year round.

There are discernible differences, however: the north displays subtropical weather during the summer months whilst in winter, the alpine areas of the South Island experience temperatures as low as -10°C. The mean annual temperatures range from 16°C  in the north of the country to 10°C in the south; the warmest month is typically January or February, and the coldest is usually July.

The weather and climate of New Zealand is categorized into four distinct seasons: summer, which lasts from December through to February; autumn, from March through to May; the winter season, from June through to August and Spring, which lasts from September to November. In keeping with this, the warmest months are December, January, February and March with temperatures ranging between 20 and 33 degrees Celsius. The winter months of June, July and August are by far the coldest with temperatures from 5-15 degrees Celsius. In general the temperature declines the further south one travels.

For sunshine, travellers are advised to check out areas like Hawke’s Bay, the Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Marlborough. New Zealand’s warmer months are perfect for outdoor activities and the fine beaches become hot spots for surfing, sunbathing and other water sports. With little in the way of air pollution, the UV rays in summer can be particularly strong.

In terms of rainfall, most parts of the country experience between 600 and 1600 mm spread out throughout the year, with an expected dry spell in summer. The fairly generous rainfall is well-received by the country’s ample forested areas and pastoral farming and horticultural land. Winter brings more rain to the North Island, although temperatures are cooler in the South. The wettest area of New Zealand, however, is the west coast of the South Island; in contrast, the area to the east of the Southern Alps, only 100kms away, is the driest.

New Zealand is also known for being windy and blessed with snowy landscapes. Prevailing winds come from the east to west, and can take the form of gentle breezes which are refreshing in the hot and humid summer months, to bitterly cold southerlies from the Antarctic in winter.

Snow appears mainly on the mountains and surrounding areas of both islands and is attractive to some for skiing, hiking and photography opportunities. Snow is uncommon in the coastal areas of the North Island and west of the South Island, although the east and south of the latter occasionally experiences snowfall in winter. Frosty weather can occur in most parts of New Zealand on cold, clear nights.

With a diverse landscape, weather and climate to match, New Zealand seeks to entice and capture the senses all year around.

Bring plenty of layers, waterproof gear and sun protection and you won’t be caught unprepared. Despite this unpredictability, New Zealand does not have a very large temperature range and there are benefits for visiting in any season. It is one of the few places in the world where tropical rainforests, sun-kissed coastline and alpine mountains are all found within a relatively close distance of each other.

New Zealand itself is a narrow sea-bound island located to the west of the eastern Australian coast, between the Tasman Sea and the South Pacific Ocean. The island stretches from north to south with temperatures ranging throughout the year from sub-tropical in the far north to freezing in the south. New Zealand has a maritime climate as all parts of the land are close to the coastline, sometimes resulting in unexpected ocean storms, Antarctic chills and tropical cyclones blowing in. A long mountain range lies along the inner spine on the island, creating a ‘rain shadow effect’ by blocking a lot of moisture from the Tasman Sea. As a result, the west side of the country tends to be wetter than the east.

Parts of New Zealand have often been compared to the United Kingdom because of the sprawling green hills and temperate climate. This is partially a result of high rainfall on the island throughout the year, between 640 millimetres and 1500 millimetres. Wet weather clothing and an umbrella is advised!

Visitors often notice the clarity of the air and brilliant blue of the New Zealand sky. The clean air is a result of the country’s tough stance on pollution and low level of industry however UV rays penetrate the atmosphere very easily. Sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen should therefore be worn all year, as the sun’s rays can also penetrate the atmosphere on a cloudy day

New Zealand is located in the Southern Hemisphere and therefore has opposite seasons to Europe and North America. The temperature becomes warmer north and colder to the south.

Summer – December, January, February
New Zealand has warm, sunny days in summer often between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius however it is a good idea to pack some warm layers as nights can drop to the chilly mid-teens. New Zealand follows daylight savings time, with daylight hours lasting to as late as 9pm. Christmas, New Years and end of year school holidays all fall within the New Zealand summer, a time when locals enjoy the outdoors with their families and loved ones.

Autumn – March, April, May
The autumn weather in New Zealand is generally milder with cooler evenings, however days are usually still warm. The tourist peak eases off at this time of year making it a good season for those seeking a less-crowded holiday experience. The many deciduous trees throughout the countryside turn brilliant shades of red and golden, a spectacular sight to behold.

Winter – June, July, August
Winter is still a good time to visit New Zealand not only for some of the world’s best snowboarding and ski slopes, but also for the spectacular views of snow-capped mountains, glaciers and frozen lakes. The temperature drops considerably, often below zero with maximums of around 10 degrees Celsius. Rainfall becomes higher on the North Island and lower on the South Island.

Spring – September, October, November
With rising temperatures, spring marks the tail end of the ski season in New Zealand and the welcoming of new life. Blossoms bloom, wine is harvested and the great outdoors is celebrated once again with festivals and events. The melting snow creates strong river currents and perfect conditions for water sports such as white water rafting.

Located in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealands seasons are some what back words to that of the Northern Hemisphere. Summer is during the months of December, January and Febuary. Autumn is during March, April and May. Winter is during June, July and August and Spring is during September, October and November.

Split into two Islands, the south is naturally a cooler climate. Whilst the North Island offers some beautiful sunny weather and spectacular beaches. Weather in New Zealand has been known to change quite unexpectedly. It is best to always be prepared when venturing on an out door adventure as it could be sunshine one minute and wet and rainy the next.

Summer temperatures tend to range between 20 and 30 (C), with winter temperatures dropping to between 10 and 15 (C). New Zealand has decent rain fall all year round, leaving the country looking nice a green. This helps to keep the pastures green and the rivers full.

The record for the hottest ever day in New Zealand was 42 (C) in Marlborough, Christchurch and Rangiora. The coolest day temperature ever recorded was -22 (C) in Central Otago. Luckily these temperatures are very unlikely.

With mild climate, New Zealand is a place which can be explored at any time of year. Just remember to be pre pared for any changes in the weather. When packing your suit case remember even in summer you may need a winter jacket.

New Zealand has some great weather. With often sub tropical climates in summer to alpine during winter. Perfect for experiencing this countries world class ski resorts or relaxing along its stunning coast line.

Based in the Southern Hemisphere New Zealands seasons tend to be the opposite from that in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer is during December, January and Febuary, Autumn during March, April and May, Winter during June, July and August and Spring during the months of September, October and November.

During summer the temperatures range from around 20 to 30 degrees and during winter the temperatures will drop to 10 to 15 degrees and even lower in some of the alpine regions.

New Zealand can be prone to some what unpredictable weather, weather can change quickly bringing across cold fronts or tropical cyclones during certain parts of the year all though the later occurs rarely.

If venturing on an outdoor adventure it is a good idea to prepare for any sudden changes in weather.

New Zealand is a beautiful place to visit, however it pays to be prepared when packing your suitcase. Locals in some parts of the country have a saying - ‘if you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes’. Though unpredictable, the temperature range itself in New Zealand does not vary to the great extremes of most continental climates, making it worth a visit at any time of year.

The main cause of the varied weather conditions is the shape of the country itself, a narrow sea-bound island stretching from North to South with a diverse landscape. The Maori name ‘New Zealand’ literally translates to ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’, indicating the importance of the weather to the lives of the native inhabitants. The maritime climate combined with the long band of mountains stretching through the centre of the land causes what is known as the ‘rain shadow effect’, a phenomenon in which the central mountains block of a lot of the wet weather coming in from the Tasman Sea. This causes the west side of the country to be significantly wetter than the east. Additionally, the constant sea wind and low level of pollution in the air results in a strikingly clear atmosphere and brilliant blue skies. It is for this reason that the UV rays in New Zealand are quite strong, and it is a good idea to wear sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen during the brightest parts of the day.

Situated in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand becomes warmer further north and colder further south. The seasons are inverted to those in the Northern Hemisphere, with the summer months from December to February, the autumn months from March to May, the winter months from June to August and the spring months from September to November.

The summer months in New Zealand bring mild evenings and long, sunny days, with sunlight sometimes lasting until 9pm due to daylight savings. Outdoor activities thrive during summer, particularly extreme sports such as white water rafting, bungee jumping and rock climbing. For the less extreme visitor there is plenty to see and do such as swimming, fishing, hiking, site-seeing and attending the many outdoor events and festivals that take place across the country during summer.

Autumn in New Zealand remains fairly warm to mild with cooler evenings and mornings. This is an ideal time of year to visit to avoid the summer crowds at tourist attractions and have the first pick of accommodation. Outdoor activities may still be enjoyed, particularly hiking in areas where introduced deciduous trees are at their most colourful. Central Otago and Hawke's Bay are particularly famous for their vibrant autumn landscapes.

Winter is colder and wetter than other times of the year. The mountains on both the north and south islands can experience heavy snowfall, making New Zealand’s world-class ski resorts a popular destination for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. Non-skiers needn’t be put off – it is worth a visit at this time of year simply to take in the magnificent natural beauty of the mountains, glaciers and rugged coastline.

Similarly to autumn, spring in New Zealand can vary from warm during the day to crisp in the mornings and evenings. This time of year is renowned for spectacular hiking in the wilderness as delicate greenery begins to reappear under the melting snow and spring flowers begin blooming. The melting ice also raises the levels of rivers and streams, making white water rafting and jet boating popular activities for enthusiasts.

New Zealand’s weather is split by the different geological features of its North and South islands. The North Island is sub tropical and in the South Island the climate is temperate. Rainfall in the South Island is divided by the Southern Alps which create a barrier for the winds from the Tasman Sea.

Due to the Alps, a wet climate is created in the West of the mountains with a dry climate on the East. Without the mountains acting as a barrier, rainfall in the North Island is more evenly distributed.

Summer temperatures are at an average maximum of 20-30°C as the warmest months in New Zealand fall from November – February. The cooler months fall in June, July and August with an average maximum of 10-15°C, making it the perfect temperature for the skiing season.

Both islands receive snow during the winter, with temperatures in the South Island being a few degrees cooler. It is important to remember that New Zealand has a maritime climate, and with its location sitting in the “roaring fourties” latitude, prevailing and continual wind can change the weather quite quickly. Therefore, it is advisable to be prepared for all weather conditions during anytime of the year.

History:

The natives of New Zealand for over 600 years are the Maori people who are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. The Maori settled the islands and developed a distinct culture (In the  Maori language the word Maori means "normal", "natural" or "ordinary").

Introduction:

New Zealand’s landscapes, lush forests, wildlife and pleasant climate make it a haven for many outdoor activities, and a great place to unwind. New Zealand society is diverse, sophisticated, and multicultural, and the honesty, friendliness, and openness of Kiwis will impress you. And the greatest advantage of New Zealand is that all of its diverse physical, cultural, and artistic landscapes are so close to each other,

With vast open spaces filled with stunning rugged landscapes, gorgeous beaches, often spectacular geothermal and volcanic activity, a temperate climate and fascinating animal and plant life, which is not a surprise that New Zealand’s pure natural environment attracts visitors from other countries. The advantage of New Zealand is there are many different landscapes, environments, and ecosystems so close to each other.

The flora and fauna found in New Zealand is so diverse, most of which is found nowhere else in the world but New Zealand.

Weather:

Maori people named New Zealand, ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’, climate has been of paramount importance to the people of New Zealand — many of whom make their living from the land. New Zealand has mild temperatures, moderately high rainfall, and many hours of sunshine most of the country. Its climate is dominated by two main geographical features — the mountains and the sea.

Temperature:

New Zealand has a largely temperate climate. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as —10°C in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine.

Variations in a day:

New Zealand does not have a large temperature range, lacking the extremes one finds in most continental climates. However, the weather can change unexpectedly — as cold fronts or tropical cyclones quickly blow in. Because of this, you should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and temperature if you’re going hiking or doing other outdoor activities.

Rainfall:

New Zealand’s average rainfall is high — between 640mm and 1500mm — and evenly spread throughout the year. As well as producing areas of stunning native forest, this high rainfall makes New Zealand an ideal place for farming and horticulture.

Seasons:

New Zealand’s many gorgeous beaches are ideal for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, boating, and water sports during summer. In autumn temperatures are a little cooler than summer, the weather can be excellent for hiking, swimming and some outdoor activities. Winter months bring colder weather to much of the country, and more rain to most areas in the North Island. Mountain ranges in both islands become snow-covered, providing beautiful vistas and excellent skiing. While the South Island has cooler winter temperatures, some areas of the island experience little rainfall in winter, so this is an excellent time to visit glaciers, mountains, and other areas of scenic beauty. Spring weather can range from cold and frosty to warm and hot. During spring buds, blossoms and other new growth burst throughout the country and new born lambs frolic in the fields just before dusk.

Summer

New Zealand’s summer months are December to February, bringing high temperatures and sunshine. Days are long and sunny, nights are mild. Summer is an excellent time for walking in the bush and a variety of other outdoor activities. New Zealand’s many gorgeous beaches are ideal for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, boating, and water sports during summer.

Autumn

March to May is New Zealand’s autumn period. While temperatures are a little cooler than summer, the weather can be excellent, and it is possible to swim in some places until April. While New Zealand’s native flora is evergreen, there are many introduced deciduous trees. Colorful changing leaves make autumn a scenic delight, especially in regions such as Central Otago and Hawke’s Bay, which are known for their autumn splendor.

Winter

New Zealand’s winter months of June to August bring colder weather to much of the country, and more rain to most areas in the North Island. Mountain ranges in both islands become snow-covered, providing beautiful vistas and excellent skiing. While the South Island has cooler winter temperatures, some areas of the island experience little rainfall in winter, so this is an excellent time to visit glaciers, mountains, and other areas of scenic beauty.

Spring

Spring lasts from September to November, and New Zealand’s spring weather can range from cold and frosty to warm and hot. During spring buds, blossoms, and other new growth bursts forth throughout the country and new born lambs frolic in the fields just before dusk.. Both Alexandra in Central Otago and Hastings in Hawke’s Bay celebrate spring with a blossom festival. If you’re into white water rafting, this is the time when melting spring snow makes river water levels excitingly high!

New Zealand’s weather is split by the different geological features of its North and South islands. The North Island is sub tropical and in the South Island the climate is temperate. Rainfall in the South Island is divided by the Southern Alps which create a barrier for the winds from the Tasman Sea.

Due to the Alps, a wet climate is created in the West of the mountains with a dry climate on the East. Without the mountains acting as a barrier, rainfall in the North Island is more evenly distributed.

Summer temperatures are at an average maximum of 20-30°C as the warmest months in New Zealand fall from November – February. The cooler months fall in June, July and August with an average maximum of 10-15°C, making it the perfect temperature for the skiing season.

Both islands receive snow during the winter, with temperatures in the South Island being a few degrees cooler. It is important to remember that New Zealand has a maritime climate, and with its location sitting in the “roaring fourties” latitude, prevailing and continual wind can change the weather quite quickly. Therefore, it is advisable to be prepared for all weather conditions during anytime of the year.

The Weather has played a large and sometimes direct part in human history. Weather is a set of all the phenomena occurring in a given atmosphere at a given time. It refers; generally, to day-to-day temperature and precipitation activity.

Lying between 37 and 47 degree south of the tropic of Capricorn the two islands of New Zealand have a moderate, maritime climate. This is to the fact that the weather can change with great rapidity because the smaller landmass is surrounded by water and situated in the Roaring Forties.

New Zealand is a country that can be visited all the year around. The temperature rarely goes beyond zero degree and goes up to thirty degrees. The climate is wild, most of the time from cool temperature to warm temperature; in the north it can have subtropical temperature and in the south a quite cool temperature.

The mountains chains that divided the west and east of New Zealand give each side different climate. The west side of New Zealand is the wettest and the east side is the driest and it separated from only around 1000 km. Most part of New Zealand has between 600 and 1600mm rainfall in winter than in summer.

But for some areas of the southern part there is less rainfall in winter. The warmest month in New Zealand is usually January of February and the coldest month is July. The west side is receives some more hours of sunshine but most of islands have a minimum of 2000 hours of sunshine throughout the year. New Zealand has a pleasant temperature. Spring starts as from September till November and can be from cold to frosty and from warm to hot.

The quite beautiful period of the year in New Zealand is spring. The summer starts from December to February. There will be high temperature, long sunny days and mild nights. Autumn starts from March to may. In this occasion the temperature are a little cooler than in summer not so hot and warm. One will discover the colourful changing leaves; these areas are known for their autumn splendour. The winter period in New Zealand begins from June and ends in August.  The weather in New Zealand is approximately one of the most convenient one could ever love to experience.

New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, so summer runs from December till February (Christmas Day is often the hottest day of a New Zealand summer), while the winter months are June till August. New Zealand enjoys a mostly temperate climate, although the nation’s long, thin shape can see dramatic climate changes from region to region. The North Island can see subtropical summers, while the South Island suffers Antarctica’s icy winds.

If you are planning on staying in New Zealand during winter, you should pack warm, wet weather footwear (such as gumboots or waterproof lace up boots), thermal underwear, warm sweaters (which New Zealanders call jumpers) and a wind and waterproof jacket.

The mild summer months see New Zealanders enjoying an outdoors lifestyle. The strong ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun make it easy to get sunburned, even on cloudy days. Overexposure to the sun can lead to life threatening skin cancer in later life, so it is important to reduce the sun’s affects wherever possible.
The advertising slogan ‘slip, slop, slap’ – slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat – has become important advice for anyone enjoying a New Zealand summer. You should bring a wide brimmed hat, long sleeved shirts made from cool, natural fibres (such as cotton) and a long sleeved sun shirt to protect yourself from the sun.

Sunscreen is very important, especially if you have fair skin, and should be reapplied regularly. Zinc cream is one of the strongest types of sunscreen and can be purchased from most New Zealand retailers (especially in towns close to the beach.)

Be sure to apply sunscreen whenever you are in the sun, even if you’re just waiting at a bus stop or walking to the supermarket to get groceries.
New Zealander’s dress casually and weather appropriately. The habit of removing ones shoes before entering a house has become popular, especially in sandy and snowy regions.

When you think of New Zealand you usually think of beautiful Alpine Mountains and fantastic snow fields. While this may be true for New Zealands South Island during the winter months these being June, July and August. The North Island is actually sub-tropical. Known for it's breath taking scenery and amazing beaches the North Island.

The seasons run during different months to that of countries based in the northern hemisphere as New Zealand is located in the southern hemisphere. Summer runs through December, January and Febuary. Autumn runs through March, April and May. Winter runs through June, July and August and Spring runs through September, October and November.

During Summer the minimum temperature for the North Island is 12 (C) and the maximum is 24 (C). Whilst in the South Island minimum temperatures are 12 (C) and the maximum 22 (C).

During Autumn minimum temperatures for the North Island is 13 (C) and maximum is 20 (C). In the South Island during this time the minimum temperature is 8 (C) and the maximum 18 (C).

During Winter in the North Island the minimum temperature is 9 (C) and the maximum is 15 (C). In the South island in winter the minimum temperature is 3 (C) and the maximum is 12 (C).

During Spring in the North Island the minimum temperature is 11 (C) and the maximum 18 (C). On the South Island during Spring the minimum temperature is 7 (C) and the maximum is 17 (C).

The maximum temperature ever recorded in New Zealand was 42 (C) and the minimum ever recorded was -22 (C).

Being situated in the southern hemisphere the climate is generally moderate all year round and rarely sees temperatures rise above 25C or fall below 4C with city average ranging 169 days of sunshine per year and January and February are the warmest months with autumn starting from March to May, winter season is June to August being the wettest months with frosts being common in the hill suburbs and the Hutt Valley, with icy winds straight from Antarctica can be experienced in the south between May and September and  spring season from September to November.