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Weather Forecast New Zealand
Research the weather forecast in New Zealand during the initial stages of planning your holiday, even before you book a flight or your annual leave from work. It may be influential in deciding what time of year to go.
Situated in the South Pacific between 34° and 47°S, there are two main North and South islands along with some small islands offshore. NZ has a maritime climate, moderately wet but with fine sunny spells occurring at any time of the year. The country has a lot more sunshine and agreeable weather than could be expected in a variable climate, and with the weather forecast New Zealand being very changeable throughout the year.
In the north of the country, and on the coasts to the east, more sun is experienced that in the extreme south and along the wetter South Island West Coast. Both North and South Islands have mountains and hills and the West Coast of the South Island is backed by the Southern Alps, the highest peak being Mount Cook which rises to over 3,700 m/12,000 ft. In the North Island the higher mountains at above 2,400 m/8,000 ft can carry snow all through the year with several peaks also being volcanic.
Precipitation on the western side of the South Island and the Southern Alps provide extensive glaciers and snowfields. The Southern Alps are very popular for winter sports as are the snow covered peaks in the North Island.
The very north of the North Island enjoys an almost subtropical climate that provides mild and warm winters and sometimes humid summers. This is the area that provides the warmest climate New Zealand has to offer.
The ocean has a dominant influence over the climate and extremes of cold and heat are quite rare. However, some areas such as the west coast in the South Island are much wetter than elsewhere in the country. For example, Christchurch and Dunedin are not as wet as locations on the west coast such as Hokitika. The driest area is the Canterbury Plains on the South Island.
The weather forecast New Zealand includes very few weather hazards on the whole. Such a wide variation in climate across the country provides ample opportunity for unlimited outdoor experiences through combined altitude, beautiful scenery, coast and rivers, and varied localised weather.
Live Forecasts
Auckland
Current Weather in Auckland - Auckland Climate
Wellington
Christchurch
Current Weather in Christchurch
Climate and Seasons
For more information on the NZ climate and seasons please visit my dedicated pages at
