The Weather to Expect in New Zealand.

Consider for example the South Island who knows the heat peaks of the country while its average temperatures remain cooler than North Island's ones. As for the wind direction, which can change in an instant and alter the forecasts of the day. However, there is no reason to fear the weather of New Zealand, because the country counts more sunny days than the South of France.

So how should you dress? Is there hope to swim and during what season?

I will also give you some practical advice to plan your trip.

The influence of the Roaring Forties does not go unnoticed. Only the mountains stop the big gusts that sweep the country and its capital Wellington, nicknamed “Windy Welly”. However, summer and autumn are generally more stable and less prone to rainfalls.

Giving average pluviometry per season would completely hazardous... Take for example the South Island: It falls over seven meters each year on the West Coast. But the dry climate of the other provinces will give you similar statistics to the North Island!

Speaking about temperatures, we end up with the very same conclusion.

It would be tempting to simplify saying the North is warmer than the South, but the tormented relief gives birth to many microclimates.

At 50 km distance, the traveler sometimes finds himself in a completely different universe. Thus, the palm trees growing in the Paparoa National Park are not supposed to exist at such a low latitude. This is not a disadvantage as it gives the feeling to visit several countries instead of just one. This situation may nevertheless be tricky for the ones who want to organize a holiday.

This is why I'll help you by giving you details about the weather conditions and the temperatures of each season.

Remember that the temperatures indicated for each season are averages with minimum and maximum.

The summer has temperatures' peaks at 35° C and Christchurch even suffered a heat wave of 41° C in 1973!

This is the windiest season, with maximum rainfall and unstable weather across the entire territory. The weather improves in mid-October and one can travel and enjoy many discounts.

With a stable and sunny climate, the summer is the best tourist season, and therefore the most expensive! Note that December is still quite wet in the northern part of the North Island.

The climate remains stable until mid-fall. If the temperatures get cooler, it is still sunny and mild until late April. Most summer activities are available and finally free from the crowd. Perhaps the best compromise to organize a stay.

The North Island has mild but wet winters while temperatures suddenly drop of 10° C in the South Island. The rainfalls increase, but the snow falls mostly in the mountains or at the southern part of the country.

However, winters are not as underlined as in the Northern Hemisphere. Nature does not seem extremely different from one season to another, because most trees are covered with perpetual leaves.

To be honest, only the summer season is really suitable for swimming, mainly on the North Island. However, the sunniest days allow to swim in the lakes of the South Island.

Remember that the correct temperature to enter the water is around 23 ° C with 27 ° C being an ideal.

On the North Island the average water temperature approaches 24° C, but only the sunniest days will see the thermometer rising up to the expected 27° C.

Outside of the summer the temperature of the water decrease by 5 or even 8° C! You can still swim with some courage in the North but only with a wetsuit in the South.

Nordic guys loving the midnight swim will dive into the Milford Sound all the year, but I don't advise following their example if you don't want to freeze to death.

However, you can take your swimsuit all year. Many hot springs are heated by geothermal activity.

Just dig with a shovel in the sand to find a water at 65 °C at the famous Hot Water Beach. As for the pools of Hanmer Springs, one can swim here even under the winter's snow!

It is impossible to talk about the weather without saying few words about the clothes to wear. Some tips fortunately work in all circumstances.

Bring several layers of lightweight clothing to overlay depending on the weather.

A t-shirt completed by a sweater and a windbreaker do the job in the morning. Most of the afternoon take place in t-shirt only. You will add a layer again if the rain falls and you will put a sweater in the evenings.

This famous “oinion trick” is valid for all seasons except during winter when one should wear warmer clothes (especially on the South Island where temperatures are often negative by night).

Some mountain hikes require warmer clothes. This is a real dilemma for most travelers because a parka takes so many spaces, while being used only occasionally. To avoid overloading your backpack, you may prefer to bring a second sweater to cover you.

Travelers are often unaware that the ozone layer is lower over New Zealand. The absence of a hat and sunscreen are generally paid by severe sunburn. I think that I told you what you need to know about the climate.

You are now ready to choose a season for your holidays in New Zealand.

One can almost say it will often be cold in mornings and evenings while the rest of the day is a matter of luck.

Bring a backpack to store your clothes and keep your hands free.

Honestly, do not expect to avoid the rain during a two-week stay.

Hurricanes do not reach New Zealand, but what remains generously sprinkles the country.

However, the chances of enduring bad weather during full holidays are quite low during the high season. To save money, you can travel in the spring, at least from mid-October. Personally, I enjoy the early autumn (March) with its bright colors and sunny climate.

Of course, summer is the best season for beach activities. As the seasons are reversed, you can spend the Christmas holiday swimming with dolphins! You can exclude the winter for a first trip to the land of kiwis, but the opportunity to ski in dream landscapes is to be considered for a second stay (trees do not lose their leaves in New Zealand, the country remains beautiful).

Impossible to choose an island rather than another. If sunny days are more numerous in the North, the South offers the most varied landscapes. The change of scenery is guaranteed.

I suggest you read my articles about the best time to travel and the art of packing your suitcase (you will also find other tips to organize your stay, like the school holidays periods you should avoid.)