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Murchison, New Zealand

Full City Profile

4.1 /5.0
A Great
606 Population 361/sq mi density
564 ft Elevation 172 meters
49°F Avg Temperature 10°C
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Strong
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$48,800 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$130,000 home value, $650/mo rent
Murchison experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 39°F in July. The area gets 169 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 91.9 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

58°F Jan (15°C) 39°F Jul (4°C)
Annual Average49.1°F
9% below US avg
January Average58°F (15°C)
July Average39°F (4°C)
Sunny Days169 days/yr

Geography

Elevation564 ft (172 m)
Area1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²)
Population Density361/sq mi
Coordinates-41.8000°N, 172.3333°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 91.9"
142% above US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Sep) 9.06"
Driest Month (Feb) 5.00"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

459 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.8. Most recent: M4.3 on Aug 30, 2025.

Jun 18, 1994 56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.8 141 km
Nov 24, 1995 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.2 139 km
Apr 24, 2015 73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M6.1 63 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M6.0 72 km
May 27, 1992 21 km WSW of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.0 118 km
Jan 28, 1991 29 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand M5.9 57 km
Aug 16, 2013 26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 143 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.7 65 km
Jan 28, 1991 27 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand M5.7 56 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 148 km
Feb 15, 1991 38 km S of Westport, New Zealand M5.4 65 km
Aug 16, 2013 25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 148 km
Jan 5, 2017 36 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 143 km
Feb 21, 2022 36 km SW of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.2 109 km
Nov 29, 1997 22 km ENE of Nelson, New Zealand M5.2 120 km
Feb 9, 2016 79 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M5.2 71 km
Aug 17, 2013 29 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.2 142 km
May 4, 2002 66 km W of Wakefield, New Zealand M5.2 45 km
Aug 29, 1996 74 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.2 84 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.1 143 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

4 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 2 120 km
1913 TASMAN SEA Earthquake 1.5 m — 69 km
1922 SE. NEW ZEALAND Earthquake 0.4 m — 144 km
1855 WHARANUI Earthquake — — 146 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 58°F (15°C) 6.7 in
February 58°F (15°C) 5.0 in Warmest, Driest
March 56°F (13°C) 6.3 in
April 50°F (10°C) 7.8 in
May 45°F (7°C) 8.8 in
June 41°F (5°C) 7.8 in
July 39°F (4°C) 7.8 in Coldest
August 42°F (5°C) 6.7 in
September 45°F (7°C) 9.1 in Wettest
October 49°F (9°C) 8.4 in
November 52°F (11°C) 8.4 in
December 56°F (13°C) 9.1 in

Murchison has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 39°F in July to 58°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 91.9 inches, with September being the wettest month (9.1") and February the driest (5.0").

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