Climate Overview
The climate in New Plymouth is temperate. The average annual temperature is 15°C and approximately 1800mm 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 10°C.
Temperature
New Plymouth has relatively stable temperatures year-round, staying within a 10°C range. February is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 20°C with a mean of 18°C. August is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 10°C and an average of 11°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 3°C between highs and lows.
Precipitation
New Plymouth is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1800mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 150mm per month. The wettest month is May, averaging 204mm of rainfall. August and July also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is January, with just 107mm. That's 97mm less than May, 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 28km/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 31km/h, which can feel quite blustery and may affect outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in February, with average winds dropping to 24km/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 30km/h in winter, 29km/h in spring, 25km/h in summer, 27km/h in autumn.
Seasons
89 days until Winter
It is currently autumn in New Plymouth, which began on March 20, 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 10°C. Winter is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from 11 to 17°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 427mm across the season with a monthly average of 142mm. Winds are strong, averaging 29km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 15 to 20°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 345mm across the season with a monthly average of 115mm. Winds are moderate at around 25km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 12 to 19°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 491mm across the season with a monthly average of 164mm. Winds are strong, averaging 27km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from 10 to 14°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 538mm across the season with a monthly average of 179mm. Winds are strong, averaging 30km/h. A light jacket or sweater is usually sufficient, though cooler evenings may call for an extra layer.
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.
