Climate Insights for Palmerston North

The climate in Palmerston North is temperate. The average annual temperature is 13°C and approximately 1058mm of precipitation falls per year. November is the wettest month, receiving around 157mm of rainfall. Palmerston North 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, June, when temperatures can drop to 5°C.

Palmerston North sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 5°C to 24°C. February is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 24°C with a mean of 19°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 7°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between May and June, with a 3°C shift in average temperatures.

Palmerston North is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 1058mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 88mm per month. The wettest month is November, averaging 157mm of rainfall. May and July also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is April, with just 28mm. That's 129mm less than November, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

Palmerston North is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 4km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is November, averaging 6km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in August, with average winds dropping to 3km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 3km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently winter in Palmerston North, which began on June 21, 2026. Palmerston North 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 24°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in August near 5°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 64 days from now.

The best time to visit Palmerston North 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 49mm per month. By contrast, August can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 5°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Palmerston North 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.