Climate Overview
The climate in Whakatane is temperate. The average annual temperature is 15°C and approximately 1568mm of precipitation falls per year. Whakatane receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Whakatane 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 July, August, June, when temperatures can drop to 8°C.
Temperature
Whakatane sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 8°C to 24°C. January is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 24°C with a mean of 20°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 8°C and an average of 11°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 7°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 2°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Whakatane is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1568mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 131mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 160mm of rainfall. September and June also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is January, with just 101mm. That's 60mm 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
Whakatane is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 13km/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 14km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in February, with average winds dropping to 12km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 2km/h between the calmest and windiest months.
Seasons
7 days until Spring
It is currently winter in Whakatane, which began on June 21, 2026. Whakatane 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 January at around 24°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 8°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 (7 days from now).
Spring
Temperatures range from 10 to 20°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 398mm across the season with a monthly average of 133mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 13km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 15 to 24°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 356mm across the season with a monthly average of 119mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 12km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 11 to 22°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 379mm across the season with a monthly average of 126mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 12km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from 8 to 15°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 434mm across the season with a monthly average of 145mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 13km/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 Whakatane 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.
