Wellington Weather in January
January in Wellington sees daytime temperatures around 19°C (66°F) and lows of 15°C (59°F) at night. As the driest month of the year.
Rainfall in Wellington in January
With the least rainfall of the year, this month offers good conditions for outdoor exploration. Take advantage of the dry weather to plan your activities. Typically, you can expect about 9 days of rain this month, with 58 mm (2.3 in) on average. A fairly balanced picture this month, some wet days but nothing too extreme in terms of intensity.
Temperature in Wellington in January
In January, expect pleasant temperatures in Wellington, with highs of 19°C (66°F) and lows of 15°C (59°F) at night. A light jacket or extra layer can be useful, especially outside the warmest hours of the day. Nights drop to around 15°C (59°F), which is noticeably cooler than the daytime. A light jacket for the evening is a sensible addition, and the cool nights tend to make sleeping comfortable.
Sunshine in Wellington in January
Enjoy a sunny month with about 234 hours of sunshine, the clear skies make Wellington even more beautiful.
Wind Speed in Wellington in January
January has wind speeds averaging 7 m/s (14 knots). You can expect generally windy conditions with strong breezes affecting daily routines on typical days. As an average, some days have moderate strong winds while others feature more intense gusts that make walking and movement challenging.
Average water temperature in January
The water is 16°C (61°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 you're inclined towards comfortable temperatures and drier conditions, January is a good time to visit Wellington.
Check the conditions for any month of the year.
For a detailed overview over the year and the best time to visit New Zealand, check out our Wellington's climate page.
Wellington Temperature in January
Min Temperature
15°C (59°F)
Max Temperature
19°C (66°F)
Water Temperature
16°C (61°F)
Chance of Rain
30%
Precipitation
58 mm (2.3 in)
Rainy days
9 days
Humidity
79%
Windspeed
7 m/s (14 knots)
Sunshine
234 hours
Percentage Sunshine
Daily Historical Temperatures
51-year average (1976-2026)
Based on our historical records, temperatures in Wellington typically stay consistent throughout January, with daily highs averaging around 19°C (66°F). Nights are pleasant, with lows typically ranging from 14°C (57°F) to 16°C (61°F).
Average temperatures in January
Daily Historical Precipitation
51-year average (1976-2026)
Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.
Average precipitation in January
Historical weather for Wellington in January
Browse day-by-day weather records for Wellington spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.
Wellington historical weather extremes in January
Based on 49 years of weather observations in Wellington between 1976 and 2025, these are the recorded extremes.
- The hottest January day on record in Wellington reached 29°C (84°F) (January 22, 2024).
- On January 2, 2007, Wellington saw its coldest January day with temperatures maxing out at 12°C (54°F).
- Nighttime temperatures dropped to 7°C (45°F) on January 17, 1984, marking the coldest January night on record.
Best Places in New Zealand in January
Find out more about the weather in New Zealand and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of New Zealand in January →
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What to Wear in Wellington in January
For Wellington in January, you'll want flexible clothing. It's wise to pack cotton shirts, comfortable shorts, and a pair of jeans for cooler evenings. A light sweater or jacket is useful for air-conditioned spaces (like buses) or unexpected cool moments. Rain is likely on several days, so bring a good rain jacket. The water temperature sits at about 16°C (61°F), which is too chilly for most people to enjoy swimming. Leave the swimsuit at home unless you love cold water. You'll definitely want to pack sunglasses and sunscreen. There will be plenty of bright sunshine this month.What To Do in Wellington in January
We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.
Check the conditions for any month of the year.
For a detailed overview over the year and the best time to visit New Zealand, check out our Wellington's climate page.
Temperature Rainfall Sunshine Humidity Wind Speed Water Temp
See the full Wellington climate overview or explore weather in New Zealand.
