Nelson Weather and Climate: A Comprehensive Guide
Nelson is the geographical center of New Zealand and is home to some of the country's most beautiful beaches, including Tahuna and Rabbit Beach. With the highest number of sunshine hours in New Zealand, sunny beach days are common.
Nelson has a maritime climate. From November through March, you can enjoy mild summer weather, with average temperatures around 21°C. From April through October, it is much cooler, with temperatures dropping below 13°C. Due to its coastal location, Nelson experiences frequent rainfall throughout the year.
Average maximum day and minimum night temperature
The weather in Nelson changes moderately throughout the year, offering enough variation to appreciate each season. On average, daytime temperatures range from a pleasant 21°C in February to a chilly 12°C in July.
Nighttime temperatures can drop, with average lows reaching 5°C in July.Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.
Temperature ranges by month
Precipitation and rainy days
Nelson experiences significant rainfall throughout the year, averaging 1416 mm of precipitation annually. The wettest period in Nelson occurs in October, which receives around 139 mm of precipitation. During the driest month, February, Nelson experiences moderate rainfall, totaling approximately 90 mm. The consistent precipitation levels throughout the year contribute to a relatively stable climate.
The mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, hail and snow
The average number of days each month with precipitation
Sunshine over the year
In Nelson, summer days are longer and more sunny, with daily sunshine hours peaking at 8.9 hours in January. As the darker season arrives, the brightness of the sun becomes less. June sees a soft sun for only 4.8 hours per average day.
Visit our detailed sunshine hours page for more information.
Monthly hours of sunshine
Daily hours of sunshine
Average humidity
The city experiences its highest humidity in June, reaching 90%. In January, the humidity drops to its lowest level at 74%. What does this mean? Read our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.
Relative humidity over the year
Forecast for Nelson
Select a Month of Interest
Check the conditions for any month of the year.
The best time of year to visit Nelson in New Zealand
During the months of January and February you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20°C and 26°C.Other facts from our historical weather data:
February has an average maximum temperature of 21°C and is the warmest month of the year.
The coldest month is July with an average maximum temperature of 12°C.
October tops the wettest month list with 139 mm of rainfall.
February is the driest month with 90 mm of precipitation.
January is the sunniest month with an average of 268 hours of sunshine.
No idea where to travel to this year? We have a tool that recommends destinations based on your ideal conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.
