New Plymouth Weather in January

January in New Plymouth sees daytime temperatures around 21°C (70°F) and lows of 16°C (61°F) at night. With around 108 mm (4.3 in) of rainfall expected, it's worth packing a rain jacket.

Rainfall in New Plymouth in January

Typically, you can expect about 11 days of rain this month, with 108 mm (4.3 in) on average. The rain this month tends to fall in heavier spells rather than light drizzle. When it rains, showers can be significant.

Temperature in New Plymouth in January

Temperatures in New Plymouth in January top out at 21°C (70°F) and drop to 16°C (61°F) overnight. Even when the weather is stable, mornings and evenings can still feel distinctly cool. With overnight lows of 16°C (61°F), evenings can feel noticeably cooler than the daytime. An extra layer is a good idea, though the cool air makes for a good night's sleep.

Sunshine in New Plymouth in January

The city usually sees around 252 hours of sunlight, indicating many sunny days — a great month for sightseeing.

Wind Speed in New Plymouth in January

Wind speeds average 5 m/s (10 knots) during January. At this speed, gentle to moderate breezes make small trees sway and the wind creates whitecaps on water bodies. Daily variations range from moderate winds to stronger breezes, creating excellent conditions for sailing, kite flying and wind sports.

Average water temperature in January

The water is 17°C (63°F) this month — cool enough to feel refreshing on a warm day, but cold enough that most people won't stay in for long without a wetsuit.

If your ideal day consists of dry skies and pleasant temperatures, January, February and March typically offer the best circumstances for New Plymouth.

Select a Month

Check the conditions for any month of the year.

• January
• February
• March
• April

• May
• June
• July
• August

• September
• October
• November
• December

For a detailed overview over the year and the best time to visit New Zealand, check out our New Plymouth's climate page.

New Plymouth Temperature in January

Min Temperature 16°C (61°F)  

Max Temperature 21°C (70°F)  

Water Temperature 17°C (63°F)  

Chance of Rain 37%  

Precipitation 108 mm (4.3 in)  

Rainy days 11 days  

Humidity 80%  

Windspeed 5 m/s (10 knots)  

Sunshine 252 hours  

Percentage Sunshine 56%  

Daily Historical Temperatures

50-year average (1976-2026)

Based on our historical records, temperatures in New Plymouth typically stay consistent throughout January, with daily highs averaging around 21°C (70°F). Nights are pleasant, with lows typically ranging from 13°C (55°F) to 15°C (59°F).

Average temperatures in January

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Daily Historical Precipitation

50-year average (1976-2026)

Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.

Average precipitation in January

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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

‹ January February March April May June July August September October November December ›

Historical weather for New Plymouth in January

Browse day-by-day weather records for New Plymouth spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.

Historical weather Temperatures Precipitation

‹ 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 ›

‹ January February March April May June July August September October November December ›

New Plymouth historical weather extremes in January

According to our 32 years of weather records for New Plymouth, the following extremes were recorded between 1993 and 2025.

• On January 6, 2013, temperatures climbed to 30°C (86°F), marking the warmest January day on record.
• On January 20, 2004, New Plymouth saw its coldest January day with temperatures maxing out at 14°C (57°F).
• The coldest night in January in New Plymouth was on January 11, 1998, with a minimum of 6°C (43°F).

What to Wear in New Plymouth in January

Pleasant temperatures in January mean you can pack light but flexibel pieces. Think cotton t-shirts, comfortable walking shorts, and one warmer layer for evenings. A light sweater or denim jacket works well. Prepare for significant rainfall with proper waterproof clothing and shoes. With water temperatures around 17°C (63°F), the water is quite cold for swimming. You can skip the swimwear unless you're particularly tough. You'll definitely want to pack sunglasses and sunscreen. There will be plenty of bright sunshine this month.

What To Do in New Plymouth in January

We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.

Cycling

9/10

Walking

9/10

Camping

6/10

Outdoor sports

9/10

Select a Month

Check the conditions for any month of the year.

• January
• February
• March
• April

• May
• June
• July
• August

• September
• October
• November
• December

For a detailed overview over the year and the best time to visit New Zealand, check out our New Plymouth's climate page.

More climate data for New Plymouth

Temperature Rainfall Sunshine Humidity Wind Speed Water Temp

See the full New Plymouth climate overview or explore weather in New Zealand.