Wellington region weather and climate

The Wellington region has a temperate climate, with moderate rainfall, relatively mild daytime temperatures, and infrequent frosts. Annual rainfall ranges from 800 mm in the eastern Wairarapa, to 7000 mm in the high parts of the Tararua Range.

The region tends to get low rainfall in the summer and high rainfall in the winter. High rainfall at any time of the year can cause flooding along streams and rivers.

Windy Wellington

Wellington is renowned for its wind. The wind-funnelling effect of Cook Strait leads to a high frequency of strong winds around the southern coast, while the rugged topography results in local variations in wind direction and strength.

Wind records from Cape Palliser and Castlepoint show that the Wairarapa coast is among the windiest spots in New Zealand.

Maximum wind speeds can be very high during extreme weather events: winds of up to 200 km/h were recorded at Kelburn during the Wahine storm on 10 April 1968, and a peak gust of 215 km/h was recorded at Hau Nui in the Wairarapa on 19 October 1998.