Dobson, New Zealand

Full City Profile

3.3 /5.0

B Good

828 Population 1/sq mi density

180 ft Elevation 55 meters

52°F Avg Temperature 11°C

Overall

3.3 / 5.0

Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

C+

Economy

2.6 / 5.0

$21,900 median income, 5.6% unemployment

Affordability

4.0 / 5.0

$104,000 home value, $520/mo rent

Dobson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 60°F in January while summers reach 43°F in July. The area gets 123 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 118.3 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

60°F Jan (16°C) 43°F Jul (6°C)

Annual Average	51.9°F
	4% below US avg
January Average	60°F (16°C)
July Average	43°F (6°C)
Sunny Days	123 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	180 ft (55 m)
Area	1,729.6 sq mi (4,479.7 km²)
Population Density	1/sq mi
Coordinates	-42.4500°N, 171.3500°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 118.3"

211% above US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Oct) 13.50"

Driest Month (Feb) 6.81"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

356 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.0. Most recent: M4.3 on Mar 28, 2025.

Sep 3, 2010	19 km NE of Methven, New Zealand	M7.0	125 km
Jun 18, 1994	56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.8	62 km
Nov 24, 1995	47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.2	70 km
Apr 24, 2015	73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand	M6.1	143 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M6.0	120 km
Jun 19, 1994	40 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M6.0	94 km
Jan 28, 1991	29 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand	M5.9	57 km
Jan 28, 1991	27 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand	M5.7	59 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M5.7	103 km
Jan 5, 2015	43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand	M5.6	68 km
May 29, 1995	South Island of New Zealand	M5.5	68 km
Sep 19, 2023	Canterbury, New Zealand	M5.5	141 km
Mar 30, 1992	57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand	M5.5	78 km
Jun 21, 1994	47 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M5.4	87 km
Feb 15, 1991	38 km S of Westport, New Zealand	M5.4	47 km
Feb 9, 2016	79 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand	M5.2	147 km
May 4, 2002	66 km W of Wakefield, New Zealand	M5.2	139 km
Aug 29, 1996	74 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M5.2	115 km
Feb 10, 1990	85 km ESE of Westport, New Zealand	M5.1	99 km
Sep 3, 2010	16 km NNW of Rakaia, New Zealand	M5.1	138 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 6.5 m (21 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
2016	OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND	Earthquake	6.5 m	2	143 km
1913	TASMAN SEA	Earthquake	1.5 m	—	73 km
1869	NEW ZEALAND	Unknown	0.6 m	—	44 km
1922	SE. NEW ZEALAND	Earthquake	0.4 m	—	148 km
1978	OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND	Meteorological	—	—	150 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	60°F (16°C)	8.7 in
February	60°F (16°C)	6.8 in	Warmest, Driest
March	58°F (15°C)	9.1 in
April	53°F (12°C)	10.2 in
May	48°F (9°C)	10.5 in
June	44°F (7°C)	9.0 in
July	43°F (6°C)	7.7 in	Coldest
August	45°F (7°C)	6.9 in
September	48°F (9°C)	12.4 in
October	51°F (11°C)	13.5 in	Wettest
November	54°F (12°C)	12.9 in
December	58°F (14°C)	10.5 in

Dobson has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 43°F in July to 60°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 118.3 inches, with October being the wettest month (13.5") and February the driest (6.8").

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