Best Time to Visit Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
Month-by-month climate guide for planning a trip to Wellington.
Wellington does not have a month that clearly fits our sunny profiles. Its practical travel window centres on its warmest (January, 17°C / 62.6°F) and driest (February, 58 mm / 2.3 in) months. The drier stretch runs through October–April; the wetter half falls in May–September. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from 8.4°C / 47.1°F in July to 17°C / 62.6°F in January, with rainfall from 58 mm / 2.3 in (February) to 150 mm / 5.9 in (August). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Wellington's climate is broadly seasonal. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| February | 16.9°C62.4°F | 58 mm2.3″ | — |
| January | 17°C62.6°F | 82 mm3.2″ | — |
| December | 15.6°C60.1°F | 101 mm4″ | — |
No month at Wellington matches our sunny profiles. The three above are the driest-and-warmest fallback.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Wellington?
Wellington doesn't have a month that clearly matches our sunny profiles. The practical travel window centres on February (driest, ~58 mm / 2.3 in) and January (warmest, 17°C / 62.6°F). Because these are point values at the city, they can differ substantially from New Zealand's national average.
When is the rainy season in Wellington?
The rainy season at Wellington, Wellington runs through May–September, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 107 mm / 4.2 in. The wettest single month is August (150 mm / 5.9 in).
What is the driest month in Wellington?
The driest month in Wellington is February, averaging about 58 mm / 2.3 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages 16.9°C / 62.4°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Wellington?
The least comfortable months for travel to Wellington — based on point-value climate at the city — are June, July, August, September. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 150 mm / 5.9 in in August, and the coldest month averages 8.4°C / 47.1°F.
Is Wellington climate different from New Zealand overall?
Yes, usually. Our Wellington figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our New Zealand figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Wellington specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.