BEST VIEWED IN LANDSCAPE MODE ON MOBILE DEVICES
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U.S.FTC GUIDELINES PLEASE NOTE: we act as an affiliate for several companies that feature on our website. In some cases we may earn a commission from referrals to those companies. For further information please refer to our Privacy and Disclaimer policies which can be found in the "US" tab.
If you study the climate map of New Zealand, you will notice that there are large variances in temperature, rainfall, and sunshine hours throughout New Zealand.
New Zealand climate is ever changing, and even though there are four
distinct seasons, conditions can quickly change, even in the warmer
months, particularly in the higher alpine regions.
The New Zealand climate is mainly affected by two things, the ocean and the alps. Whilst the far
north
has sub tropical conditions in summer, areas in the south can have
temperatures as low as -10 Celsius during the winter months. Snow and
ice are common in the colder months and roads may close due to the
conditions.
If you are traveling by road in winter, snow chains may be necessary, and some car rental companies will insist that you carry chains.
Winter is actually our favorite time of the year. Why? The scenery! New Zealand is at its beautiful best in winter, so don't let the prospect of some cool weather put you off traveling in the colder months.
The fires in the pubs are roaring and the country buzzes during one of its peak periods.
We find it best to dress in several layers of clothing during the cooler periods, and always include a light weight, waterproof jacket at these times.
New Zealand Climate Seasons are:
Winter-June, July, August
During winter, snow covers the mountains in many areas on both islands,
and rainfall increases in the north. However many areas on the south
island have little rainfall in winter (great for
skiing
and getting out and about with your camera).
Spring-September, October, November
The season of birth, with new lambs appearing and plants starting to bloom. Spring can still be frosty, and snow will still be on the alps.
Summer-December, January, February
During summer, days are long and sunny in most areas, and with summer
daylight saving, daylight can last to beyond 9 p.m. in most areas.
Autumn-March, April, May
Things begin to cool off again during autumn, although conditions will
still be clear and sunny in most regions. Autumn brings vibrant new
colors as leaves change, and as with all other seasons, photo
opportunities abound.
Where can I find more information?
For further information on the weather patterns shown in the climate map of New Zealand, please refer to New Zealand's official weather site, the New Zealand Met Service. You can go to their website by clicking here.
Climate Map of New Zealand Top of Page