Climate Insights for Rotorua

Rotorua Central, Rotorua Lakes District, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Hottest
January
23°C peak73°F peak
Coldest
August
5°C low41°F low
Wettest
July
145 mm rain5.7 in rain
Best to Visit
January, March
Mild temps & low rain

Climate Overview

The climate in Rotorua is temperate. The average annual temperature is 13°C and approximately 1,380 mm of precipitation falls per year. Rotorua receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Rotorua 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: January, February, December. The coldest months are August, July, June, when temperatures can drop to 5°C.The climate in Rotorua is temperate. The average annual temperature is 55°F and approximately 54.3 in of precipitation falls per year. Rotorua receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Rotorua 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: January, February, December. The coldest months are August, July, June, when temperatures can drop to 41°F.

Temperature

0°5°10°15°20°25°30°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanMax: 23°Average: 18°Min: 14°FebMax: 23°Average: 18°Min: 14°MarMax: 21°Average: 16°Min: 12°AprMax: 18°Average: 13°Min: 10°MayMax: 15°Average: 11°Min: 8°JunMax: 13°Average: 9°Min: 6°JulMax: 12°Average: 8°Min: 5°AugMax: 12°Average: 8°Min: 5°SepMax: 14°Average: 10°Min: 7°OctMax: 16°Average: 12°Min: 9°NovMax: 19°Average: 15°Min: 11°DecMax: 21°Average: 17°Min: 13°
Max
Average
Min
0°F10°F20°F30°F40°F50°F60°F70°F80°FJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanMax: 73°FAverage: 64°FMin: 56°FFebMax: 73°FAverage: 64°FMin: 57°FMarMax: 69°FAverage: 60°FMin: 53°FAprMax: 64°FAverage: 56°FMin: 50°FMayMax: 59°FAverage: 51°FMin: 46°FJunMax: 55°FAverage: 48°FMin: 43°FJulMax: 53°FAverage: 46°FMin: 41°FAugMax: 54°FAverage: 47°FMin: 41°FSepMax: 57°FAverage: 50°FMin: 44°FOctMax: 62°FAverage: 54°FMin: 47°FNovMax: 67°FAverage: 58°FMin: 51°FDecMax: 71°FAverage: 62°FMin: 55°F
Max
Average
Min

Rotorua sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 5°C to 23°C. January is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 23°C with a mean of 18°C. August is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 5°C and an average of 8°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 8°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 3°C shift in average temperatures.Rotorua sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 41°F to 73°F. January is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 73°F with a mean of 64°F. August is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 41°F and an average of 47°F. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 14°F between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 5°F shift in average temperatures.

Precipitation

0mm25mm50mm75mm100mm125mm150mmJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanPrecipitation: 98mmFebPrecipitation: 110mmMarPrecipitation: 99mmAprPrecipitation: 111mmMayPrecipitation: 108mmJunPrecipitation: 115mmJulPrecipitation: 145mmAugPrecipitation: 103mmSepPrecipitation: 135mmOctPrecipitation: 119mmNovPrecipitation: 123mmDecPrecipitation: 114mm
Precipitation
0in2in4in6inJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanPrecipitation: 3.9inFebPrecipitation: 4.3inMarPrecipitation: 3.9inAprPrecipitation: 4.4inMayPrecipitation: 4.3inJunPrecipitation: 4.5inJulPrecipitation: 5.7inAugPrecipitation: 4.1inSepPrecipitation: 5.3inOctPrecipitation: 4.7inNovPrecipitation: 4.8inDecPrecipitation: 4.5in
Precipitation

Rotorua is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1,380 mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 115 mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 145 mm of rainfall. September and November also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is January, with just 98 mm. That's 46 mm 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.Rotorua is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 54.3 in of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 4.5 in per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 5.7 in of rainfall. September and November also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is January, with just 3.9 in. That's 1.8 in 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

0km/h5km/h10km/h15km/hJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanWind Speed: 11km/hFebWind Speed: 10km/hMarWind Speed: 10km/hAprWind Speed: 10km/hMayWind Speed: 11km/hJunWind Speed: 11km/hJulWind Speed: 12km/hAugWind Speed: 11km/hSepWind Speed: 13km/hOctWind Speed: 12km/hNovWind Speed: 12km/hDecWind Speed: 11km/h
Wind Speed
0mph5mph10mphJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanWind Speed: 7mphFebWind Speed: 6mphMarWind Speed: 6mphAprWind Speed: 6mphMayWind Speed: 7mphJunWind Speed: 7mphJulWind Speed: 7mphAugWind Speed: 7mphSepWind Speed: 8mphOctWind Speed: 8mphNovWind Speed: 7mphDecWind Speed: 7mph
Wind Speed

Rotorua is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 11km/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 13km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in February, with average winds dropping to 10km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 3km/h between the calmest and windiest months.Rotorua is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 7mph. For context, sustained winds below 7mph are generally light, while anything above 16mph is considered strong. The windiest month is September, averaging 8mph, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in February, with average winds dropping to 6mph, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 2mph between the calmest and windiest months.

Best Time to Visit

Jan18°64°F
Feb18°64°F
Mar16°60°F
Apr13°56°F
May11°51°F
Jun9°48°F
Jul8°46°F
Aug8°47°F
Sep10°50°F
Oct12°54°F
Nov15°58°F
Dec17°62°F

The best time to visit Rotorua is during January and March, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 17°C with modest rainfall averaging 99 mm per month. By contrast, August can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 5°C. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely. Pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.The best time to visit Rotorua is during January and March, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 62°F with modest rainfall averaging 3.9 in per month. By contrast, August can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 41°F. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely. Pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.

Monthly Climate Data

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

Month
Min Temperature
Max Temperature
Wind Speed
Precipitation
Snow
Jan
14 °C56 °F
23 °C73 °F
11 km/h7 mph
98 mm3.9 in
0 cm0 in
Feb
14 °C57 °F
23 °C73 °F
10 km/h6 mph
110 mm4.3 in
0 cm0 in
Mar
12 °C53 °F
21 °C69 °F
10 km/h6 mph
99 mm3.9 in
0 cm0 in
Apr
10 °C50 °F
18 °C64 °F
10 km/h6 mph
111 mm4.4 in
0 cm0 in
May
8 °C46 °F
15 °C59 °F
11 km/h7 mph
108 mm4.3 in
0 cm0 in
Jun
6 °C43 °F
13 °C55 °F
11 km/h7 mph
115 mm4.5 in
0 cm0 in
Jul
5 °C41 °F
12 °C53 °F
12 km/h7 mph
145 mm5.7 in
0 cm0 in
Aug
5 °C41 °F
12 °C54 °F
11 km/h7 mph
103 mm4.1 in
0 cm0 in
Sep
7 °C44 °F
14 °C57 °F
13 km/h8 mph
135 mm5.3 in
0 cm0 in
OctCurrent
9 °C47 °F
16 °C62 °F
12 km/h8 mph
119 mm4.7 in
0 cm0 in
Nov
11 °C51 °F
19 °C67 °F
12 km/h7 mph
123 mm4.8 in
0 cm0 in
Dec
13 °C55 °F
21 °C71 °F
11 km/h7 mph
114 mm4.5 in
0 cm0 in