Hokitika

West Coast Weather in August

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in the West Coast, New Zealand in August.

Planning a getaway to the West Coast, New Zealand this August and curious about the weather you should prepare for? Discover all the vital details you need on this page, solving your puzzle:

What to Expect in the West Coast in August

The West Coast, New Zealand is a region in New Zealand. August in the West Coast generally has temperatures that range from cold to mild, with heavy precipitation.

Temperatures

The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from cold in Otira at 7°C (45°F) to mild in Greymouth at 13°C (55°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 6°C (43°F) in Greymouth and 0°C (32°F) in Otira.

For a closer look at conditions across the West Coast, New Zealand, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

In August, precipitation varies across different areas. From heavy rainfall in Reefton with an average of 204 mm (8 in) to heavy rainfall in Haast with 293 mm (12 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine levels are moderate in most locations. Greymouth typically sees 140 hours of sunlight, creating comfortable conditions that aren't too bright or too dim. Looking for something sunnier? Our weather planner helps you discover destinations with more reliable sunshine.

Explore the West Coast by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in the West Coast — and find the best time to visit. (based on Franz Josef)

Best Places to Visit in the West Coast in August

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across the West Coast.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in the West Coast

What is the weather like in August for some of the most popular destinations in the West Coast, New Zealand?

Temperature range in the West Coast (August)

Precipitation variation in the West Coast (August)

Greymouth

In August Greymouth generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 13°C (55°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C (43°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

July
August
September
Max temperature
13°C (55°F)
13°C (55°F)
14°C (57°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
6°C (43°F)
7°C (45°F)
Monthly sun hours
129 hours
140 hours
148 hours
Monthly rainfall
195 mm (7.7 in)
213 mm (8.4 in)
250 mm (9.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
18 days
20 days
Weather conditions

Franz Josef

In August Franz Josef generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C (46°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 1°C (34°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

July
August
September
Max temperature
7°C (45°F)
8°C (46°F)
9°C (48°F)
Min temperature
0°C (32°F)
1°C (34°F)
2°C (36°F)
Monthly rainfall
253 mm (10 in)
271 mm (11 in)
352 mm (14 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
15 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Hokitika

In August Hokitika generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 12°C (54°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

July
August
September
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
12°C (54°F)
13°C (55°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
5°C (41°F)
7°C (45°F)
Monthly sun hours
129 hours
140 hours
148 hours
Monthly rainfall
222 mm (8.7 in)
244 mm (9.6 in)
313 mm (12 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
16 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Fox Glacier

In August Fox Glacier generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C (48°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 1°C (34°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

July
August
September
Max temperature
8°C (46°F)
9°C (48°F)
10°C (50°F)
Min temperature
0°C (32°F)
1°C (34°F)
3°C (37°F)
Monthly rainfall
248 mm (9.8 in)
264 mm (10 in)
355 mm (14 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
16 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Westport

In August Westport generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 13°C (55°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

July
August
September
Max temperature
13°C (55°F)
13°C (55°F)
14°C (57°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
7°C (45°F)
8°C (46°F)
Monthly rainfall
218 mm (8.6 in)
232 mm (9.1 in)
269 mm (11 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
18 days
20 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in the West Coast, in New Zealand.

Popular cities in August

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in the West Coast in August.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Franz Josef 8°C (46°F) 1°C (34°F) 271 mm (11 in)
Greymouth 13°C (55°F) 6°C (43°F) 213 mm (8.4 in)
Hokitika 12°C (54°F) 5°C (41°F) 244 mm (9.6 in)
Fox Glacier 9°C (48°F) 1°C (34°F) 264 mm (10 in)
Westport 13°C (55°F) 7°C (45°F) 232 mm (9.1 in)
Punakaiki 12°C (54°F) 7°C (45°F) 247 mm (9.7 in)

The West Coast weather in August: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in the West Coast, New Zealand in August?

Expect poor weather across the West Coast, New Zealand in August. The popular destination of Greymouth averages 13°C (55°F) by day and 6°C (43°F) at night during this month.

What is the average temperature in the West Coast, New Zealand in August?

In Greymouth, the average daytime high in August is 13°C (55°F), while nighttime temperatures drop to around 6°C (43°F).

Does the West Coast, New Zealand get a lot of rain in August?

Yes. August brings heavy rainfall to the West Coast, New Zealand, with Greymouth averaging around 213 mm (8.4 in). Expect frequent showers and pack accordingly.

Is August a Good Time to Visit the West Coast, New Zealand?

In our opinion, August may not be the ideal time to visit the West Coast, New Zealand due to the typically poor weather in Greymouth.

On average, the best time to visit the West Coast, New Zealand is in February with generally pleasant weather in Greymouth. On the other hand, the weather in April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December tend to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in the West Coast.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to New Zealand? Get detailed 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.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.