New Zealand climate and weather | 100% Pure New Zealand

Temperatures in NewZealand are generally mild, but the weather can vary a lot around the country and might change quickly as we are a relatively narrow island nation. Locals like to joke that you can experience four seasons in one day! It pays to be prepared for what you might encounter on your travels.

NewZealands climate is diverse the north of the North Island can have warm subtropical weather in summer, while inland alpine areas of the South Island can have heavy snow and temperatures as low as -10C (14F) in winter.

The hottest months in NewZealand are January and February, and the coldest month of the year is July. The average temperature in NewZealand decreases as you travel south.

NewZealand is lush and green for a reason! Our average rainfall is high and spread evenly throughout the year. Whatever time of year you are visiting, pack a raincoat as you never know when you might get showers.

Snow typically falls during the months of June through to October, though cold snaps can occur outside of this. Most snow in NewZealand falls in the mountainous areas, like the Central Plateau in the North Island, and the Southern Alps in the South Island. It also falls heavily in inland Canterbury and Otago in the South Island. It very rarely snows in the coastal areas of the North Island, although they experience some heavy overnight frosts in winter.

The sunniest places in NewZealand (recorded hours of sunshine) are the Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay and Nelson/Marlborough. As NewZealand observes Daylight Saving, daylight can last up until 9.30pm during summer months.

The sun in NewZealand is much stronger than elsewhere and in warmer months you can get burnt quickly without sunscreen or other sun protection. This is because we have relatively little air pollution compared with many other countries, and less ozone, which makes the UV rays in our sunlight very strong.

Take particular care from September to April, especially between 10am and 4pm, even on cloudy days. Be 'SunSmart' by using these three simple steps when you go outdoors:

You can check NewZealand weather conditions on theMetService website.(opens in new window)

Link:

New Zealand climate and weather | 100% Pure New Zealand