# Climate Insights for Whanganui

*Source: [Airpult](https://airpult.com/climate/nz/whanganui/3957716092): Whanganui District, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand*

The climate in Whanganui is temperate. The average annual temperature is 14°C and approximately 1225mm of precipitation falls per year. Whanganui receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Whanganui 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 9°C.

## Key insights

- **Hottest month:** February (peak 20°C)
- **Coldest month:** August (low 9°C)
- **Wettest month:** July (128 mm)
- **Best time to visit:** January, February, March

## Monthly climate data

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Whanganui 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 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 79 | 20 | 0 |
| Feb | 16 | 20 | 18 | 88 | 19 | 0 |
| Mar | 15 | 19 | 17 | 88 | 20 | 0 |
| Apr | 14 | 17 | 15 | 106 | 20 | 0 |
| May | 12 | 15 | 14 | 112 | 22 | 0 |
| Jun | 10 | 14 | 12 | 99 | 21 | 0 |
| Jul | 10 | 13 | 11 | 128 | 22 | 0 |
| Aug | 9 | 13 | 11 | 113 | 21 | 0 |
| Sep (current) | 10 | 14 | 12 | 108 | 25 | 0 |
| Oct | 12 | 15 | 13 | 100 | 23 | 0 |
| Nov | 13 | 17 | 15 | 97 | 22 | 0 |
| Dec | 15 | 19 | 17 | 105 | 22 | 0 |

## Temperature

Whanganui sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 9°C to 20°C. 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 9°C and an average of 11°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 3°C between highs and lows.

## Precipitation

Whanganui is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1225mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 102mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 128mm of rainfall. August and May also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is January, with just 79mm. That's 50mm 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

Whanganui is moderately windy, with an average annual wind speed of 22km/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 25km/h, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in February, with average winds dropping to 19km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 6km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

## Seasons

Currently it is **winter** (astronomical) / **winter** (meteorological) in Whanganui.
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 Whanganui, which began on June 21, 2026. Whanganui 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 9°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 (8 days from now).

### Spring

Temperatures range from 10 to 17°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 305mm across the season with a monthly average of 102mm. Winds are moderate at around 24km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.

### Summer

Temperatures range from 15 to 20°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 273mm for the season, averaging 91mm per month. Winds are moderate at around 20km/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 306mm across the season with a monthly average of 102mm. Winds are moderate at around 20km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.

### Winter

Temperatures range from 9 to 14°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 341mm across the season with a monthly average of 114mm. Winds are moderate at around 22km/h. A light jacket or sweater is usually sufficient, though cooler evenings may call for an extra layer.

## Best time to visit

Recommended months: January, February, March.

The best time to visit Whanganui is during January, February and March, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 18°C with modest rainfall averaging 85mm per month. By contrast, August can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 9°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.