New Plymouth Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. This average is based on long-term data collected between 1990 and 2020. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.

New Plymouth is known for its substantial rainfall, with annual precipitation reaching 1838 mm (72 in). While the overall climate is wet, there are notable seasonal patterns that create interesting contrasts, as demonstrated in our graph below.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))

New Plymouth experiences moderate seasonal variation in rainfall, with monthly averages ranging from 185 mm (7.3 in) in June, the wettest month, and 108 mm (4.3 in) in March, the driest month.

June, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 15°C (59°F). The city receives 117 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month March you can expect a temperature of 20°C (68°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our New Plymouth Temperature page.

New Plymouth's average annual precipitation is 1838 mm (72 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Seville, Spain, experiences 541 mm (21 in) of rainfall annually, with wet winters and dry summers typical of southern Spain.

Beijing, China, receives 560 mm (22 in) of annual precipitation, concentrated in the summer months.

In Tokyo, Japan, the average annual precipitation is 1528 mm (60 in), with significant summer rains due to typhoon season.

Mumbai, India, experiences a tropical monsoon climate with 1860 mm (73 in) of annual rainfall, with the majority of precipitation happening during the monsoon season from June to September.

Precipitation amounts are measured using specific gauges installed at weather stations, collecting both rain and snow and any other type of precipitation. Rainfall is measured directly in millimeters, while that from snow and ice is obtained by melting it. Automated systems often incorporate heaters to make this easier.

Information from these stations is transmitted via Wi-Fi, satellite, GPS, or telephone connections to central monitoring networks. This information is immediately updated and integrated into weather models and forecasts.

Precipitation has a very strong role in determining the local climate and ecosystem:

• Changing Rainfall Patterns: Global warming causes drastic changes in the patterns of rainfall. Some areas have been experiencing increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, while other areas experience longer dry spells or even droughts.
• Local Impacts: Many regions are experiencing heavier rainfall in the winter months and drier, hotter summers. This affects agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems.

• Mawsynram in India is noted as being the wettest place on earth, with over 11 meters (36 feet) of rain falling every year.
• In contrast, Antofagasta in Chile is among the driest places on the planet, getting less than 0.1mm (0.004 inches) per year, with some years recording virtually no rainfall.
• Nearly 1,650 thunderstorm cells are estimated over the planet at any given time.

For more detailed information about New Plymouth's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our New Plymouth Climate page.