New Zealand Climate

Climate of New Zealand

The North Island lies in a subtropical maritime climate zone, characterized by short mild winters and long sunny summers. The South Island has a temperate climate of the warm variety. The weather in this area is more varied, with greater temperature fluctuations, more frequent precipitation and in mountainous areas (the Southern Alps) also frost and snow. The perpetual snow limit is at an altitude of about 2,200 meters above sea level, mainly on glaciers (extending over an area of about 1,000 km²).

Across the country, temperatures in the warmest months reach 20°C - 30°C, while in the coldest months they oscillate between 5°C - 15°C; in mountainous areas it is colder and frosts are common. A characteristic feature of the islands is also quite high humidity and precipitation.

In New Zealand we can distinguish four seasons, which are somewhat fluid and often unpredictable. Winter lasts from June to August, and these are the coldest and rainiest months of the year. Spring falls between September and November, which is when sunny and drier days return after winter and nature awakens to life. The summer season covers the time from December to February, this is when it is warmest, and sunny and dry days prevail on both main islands. Autumn covers the months from March to May, it is then a bit cooler and wetter, but there is no shortage of sunny days.