Wellington is a contradiction. People call it "Windy Welly" like it's a warning, but honestly, if you catch this city on a good day, there is nowhere else on Earth you’d rather be. The locals have a saying: "You can't beat Wellington on a good day." They say it because those days feel earned.
The reality of wellington weather by month isn't just about rain or shine. It’s about the Cook Strait—that narrow gap between the North and South Islands—acting like a giant wind tunnel. It’s about southerly blasts that feel like they’ve come straight from Antarctica, immediately followed by a harbor so still it looks like glass.
If you are planning a trip or moving here, you need to know that the seasons don't always follow the calendar.
The Summer Reality (December to February)
Summer in Wellington is mild. If you’re expecting 30°C heatwaves every day, you’re in the wrong city. Average highs sit around 19°C to 21°C. It’s comfortable. You can walk up Mount Victoria without melting.
January and February are usually the stars of the show. This is when the "Marlborough heat low" kicks in. Basically, the land in the South Island heats up, creating low pressure that sucks air through the Strait. The result? Breezy, beautiful afternoons.
- December: It’s a bit of a gamble. You get the longest days—sunset can be as late as 9:00 PM—but the "spring" winds often linger.
- January: Usually the driest month. The city feels alive, and the water at Oriental Bay is almost tolerable for a swim.
- February: Statistically the warmest. It’s the sweet spot for the Fringe Festival and outdoor dining on Cuba Street.
Autumn: The Best Kept Secret (March to May)
Ask any local. They’ll tell you autumn is the best time. The wind finally dies down. Those manic spring and summer gusts settle into what we call "settled" weather.
March still feels like summer, but without the crowds. By April, the air gets a crisp edge, and the trees in the Botanic Garden start to turn. It’s the least rainy time of the year, historically speaking, though 2026 is seeing some weird subtropical moisture shifts according to NIWA’s latest outlooks.
March averages around 19°C, while May drops to a brisk 14°C. You'll want layers. Actually, in Wellington, you always want layers. Umbrellas are mostly useless here because the wind will just turn them into modern art; get a good raincoat instead.
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Wellington weather by month: The Winter Grind
Winter (June to August) is damp. It’s not "Canadian cold," but it’s a wet, grey cold that gets into your bones. Temperatures hover between 6°C and 12°C.
Why the South Coast Matters
When a "Southerly" hits, the city transforms. These storms come charging up from the Southern Ocean. You’ll see massive swells crashing into the rocks at Island Bay. It’s dramatic and, honestly, kind of beautiful if you're watching it from a café with a flat white in hand.
- June: The start of the true rain. Very short days.
- July: Usually the coldest month. If it's going to snow on the Remutaka Hill, it's now. It almost never snows in the city center, though.
- August: The "winter encore." Just when you think it's over, another southerly usually blows through.
Spring: The "Chaotic Puberty" Phase
Spring (September to November) is a mess. There is no other way to put it. This is the windiest time of the year by far.
The "Equinoctial gales" are real. You’ll have a morning that looks like a postcard—blue skies, daffodils blooming in the park—and by 2:00 PM, a gale-force northerly is sandblasting your face at the waterfront.
September is actually the rainiest month on average for the capital. Most people expect winter to be the wettest, but spring often takes the crown. By November, things start to warm up to about 16°C, but the wind keeps its bite.
Monthly Weather Breakdown at a Glance
Instead of a rigid table, let's look at how the city actually feels through the year.
January/February: Peak vibes. Highs of 20°C. Longest sunshine hours (about 220+ for the month). Perfect for the Night Market.
March/April: The "Golden Era." Calm seas. Highs of 17-19°C. Great for hiking the Skyline Walkway without being blown off a ridge.
May/June: The transition. Rain starts picking up (around 100mm to 120mm a month). The "big coats" come out of the closet.
July/August: The dark months. Max temps of 11°C. Most of your time will be spent in the city's incredible craft beer bars or Te Papa museum.
September/October: The gale season. High unpredictability. One day is 18°C and sunny; the next is 10°C with 100km/h gusts.
November/December: The buildup. Humidity starts to rise slightly. Spirits lift as the wind (slowly) begins to mellow.
What the 2026 Trends Are Showing
We can't ignore that the "normal" patterns are shifting. NIWA and Earth Sciences New Zealand have noted that 2026 is leaning toward warmer-than-average sea temperatures. For a coastal city like Wellington, that means more "humidity" than we’re used to.
The risk of "Ex-Tropical Cyclones" coming down from the north is higher in the late summer months (February/March) now. These aren't just rain showers; they’re significant weather events. While Wellington's hills protect it from some things, the intense rainfall can cause slips on the steep terrain.
Actionable Advice for Navigating Wellington’s Climate
If you’re visiting, forget the umbrella. Seriously. It’s a rookie mistake. You’ll see broken ones stuffed into public bins all over Lambton Quay. Invest in a high-quality windbreaker or a hooded rain jacket.
Check the "Windy" app. Locals don't just check the temperature; they check the wind direction. A "Northerly" means it's probably going to be warm but gusty. A "Southerly" means you need to find your heaviest wool sweater immediately.
Book your outdoor activities for the morning. In the summer, the wind often picks up in the afternoon as the land heats up. If you want to kayak the harbor or visit Zealandia, do it at 9:00 AM.
Dress in three layers. A base layer (merino is king in NZ), a mid-layer for warmth, and a shell for the wind. You might wear all three in a single walk across the city.
Wellington's weather isn't something you just observe; it's something you participate in. It shapes the coffee culture (because you need to hide from the rain) and the architecture. It’s temperamental, but it’s never boring.
To make the most of your time, plan your heavy outdoor hiking for the transition months of March and April to avoid the spring gales. If you are here in winter, lean into the "indoor" city—the world-class food scene and the cozy theaters that make the capital feel like home regardless of what the clouds are doing.