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Wanaka Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Wanaka. The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Let’s explore the details in depth to provide you with a complete overview.

Wanaka has a relatively rain/snowy climate with high precipitation levels, averaging 1478 mm of rain/snowfall annually.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Year-round, Wanaka has a balanced climate with minimal variation in precipitation. The difference between the wettest month, December, with 147 mm, and the driest month, July, with 104 mm, is minimal.

December, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 16°C. The city receives 212 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month July you can expect a temperature of 4°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Wanaka Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in New Zealand

The map below shows the annual precipitation across New Zealand. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.

Annual
Map not visible? Whoops sorry! Please refresh the page.
Legend heavy rainfall high moderate low almost none
Heavy annual rainfall has been defined as more than 1000 mm precipitation. High: 600 mm to 1000 mm. Moderate: 250 mm to 600 mm. Low: less than 250 mm.

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Wanaka’s average annual precipitation is 1478 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

The city of Rome, Italy, has an average annual precipitation of 832 mm, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

In Shanghai, China, the annual average precipitation is 1347 mm, with a humid subtropical climate.

Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, receives 1955 mm of annual rainfall, with a pronounced wet season from May to November, typical of its tropical monsoon climate.

How is Precipitation Measured?

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.

Interesting weather facts

  • Mawsynram in India is noted as being the wettest place on earth, with over 11 meters of rain falling every year.
  • In contrast, Antofagasta in Chile is among the driest places on the planet, getting less than 0.1mm 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 Wanaka’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Wanaka Climate page.


Current rainfall in Wanaka

Wed   Jan 29
24°C | 11°C
NW 3 m/s
10 mm
partly cloudy and rain

partly cloudy and rain

Thu   Jan 30
23°C | 9°C
N 2 m/s
partly cloudy and no rain

partly cloudy and no rain

Fri   Jan 31
23°C | 10°C
NE 1 m/s
clear and no rain

clear and no rain

Interested in more climate information?

This site provides you with all the information you need about the climate in Wanaka.

Our site offers climate and forecast data for every country in the world. Are you going to New Zealand? On this website you can find historical weather averages for many cities in New Zealand. Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.