# Climate Insights for New Plymouth

*Source: [Airpult](https://airpult.com/climate/nz/new-plymouth/5200508517): New Plymouth District, Taranaki, New Zealand*

The climate in New Plymouth is temperate. The average annual temperature is 15°C and approximately 2022mm of precipitation falls per year. New Plymouth receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. New Plymouth is in the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons are reversed: summer runs from December to February, while winter falls between June and August. The summer months are: February, January, March. The coldest months are August, July, September, when temperatures can drop to 11°C.

## Key insights

- **Hottest month:** February (peak 20°C)
- **Coldest month:** August (low 11°C)
- **Wettest month:** July (233 mm)

## Monthly climate data

The table below shows monthly climate averages for New Plymouth based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.

| Month | Avg low (°C) | Avg high (°C) | Mean (°C) | Precip (mm) | Wind (km/h) | Snow (cm) |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Jan | 17 | 20 | 18 | 120 | 18 | 0 |
| Feb | 17 | 20 | 19 | 117 | 17 | 0 |
| Mar | 16 | 19 | 18 | 135 | 19 | 0 |
| Apr | 15 | 18 | 16 | 174 | 20 | 0 |
| May | 13 | 16 | 14 | 221 | 22 | 0 |
| Jun | 12 | 14 | 13 | 178 | 22 | 0 |
| Jul | 11 | 13 | 12 | 233 | 24 | 0 |
| Aug | 11 | 13 | 12 | 198 | 21 | 0 |
| Sep (current) | 11 | 14 | 12 | 179 | 24 | 0 |
| Oct | 12 | 15 | 13 | 144 | 21 | 0 |
| Nov | 14 | 17 | 15 | 170 | 20 | 0 |
| Dec | 16 | 18 | 17 | 153 | 19 | 0 |

## Temperature

New Plymouth has relatively stable temperatures year-round, staying within a 9°C range. February is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 20°C with a mean of 19°C. August is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 11°C and an average of 12°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 3°C between highs and lows.

## Precipitation

New Plymouth is a very wet location, receiving approximately 2022mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 169mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 233mm of rainfall. May and August also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is February, with just 117mm. That's 115mm less than July, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around.

## Wind

New Plymouth is moderately windy, with an average annual wind speed of 21km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is September, averaging 24km/h, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in February, with average winds dropping to 17km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 7km/h between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 22km/h in winter, 22km/h in spring, 18km/h in summer, 20km/h in autumn.

## Seasons

Currently it is **winter** (astronomical) / **winter** (meteorological) in New Plymouth.
Spring begins September 23, 2026 (8 days from now).

| Season | Begins |
| --- | --- |
| Spring | September 23 |
| Summer | December 21 |
| Autumn | March 20 |
| Winter | June 21 |

It is currently winter in New Plymouth, which began on June 21, 2026. New Plymouth is in the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed: spring starts in September, summer in December, autumn in March, and winter in June. The warmest period peaks in February at around 20°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in August near 11°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 (8 days from now).

### Spring

Temperatures range from 11 to 17°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 492mm across the season with a monthly average of 164mm. Winds are moderate at around 22km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.

### Summer

Temperatures range from 16 to 20°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 391mm across the season with a monthly average of 130mm. Winds are moderate at around 18km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.

### Autumn

Temperatures range from 13 to 19°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 530mm across the season with a monthly average of 177mm. Winds are moderate at around 20km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.

### Winter

Temperatures range from 11 to 14°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 609mm across the season with a monthly average of 203mm. Winds are moderate at around 22km/h. A light jacket or sweater is usually sufficient, though cooler evenings may call for an extra layer.