Nelson South, New Zealand

Full City Profile

3.6 /5.0

B+ Good

2,690 Population 16/sq mi density

154 ft Elevation 47 meters

51°F Avg Temperature 11°C

B+

Overall

3.6 / 5.0

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

Economy

3.2 / 5.0

$48,800 median income, 5.1% unemployment

Affordability

4.1 / 5.0

$223,600 home value, $1,118/mo rent

Nelson South experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 43°F in July. The area gets 276 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 50.8 inches. The area receives 3.1 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 43°F Jul (6°C)

Annual Average	50.9°F
	6% below US avg
January Average	59°F (15°C)
July Average	43°F (6°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	154 ft (47 m)
Area	171.8 sq mi (445.0 km²)
Population Density	16/sq mi
Coordinates	-41.2850°N, 173.2749°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.8"

34% above US avg

Snowfall 3.1"

Wettest Month (Aug) 5.67"

Driest Month (Feb) 2.68"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,048 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.5. Most recent: M4.3 on Aug 30, 2025.

Aug 16, 2013	29 km SE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M6.5	89 km
Jul 21, 2013	38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M6.5	100 km
Jul 3, 2012	63 km S of Opunake, New Zealand	M6.3	146 km
Apr 24, 2015	73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand	M6.1	89 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M6.0	124 km
May 27, 1992	21 km WSW of Blenheim, New Zealand	M6.0	53 km
Aug 16, 2013	26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.9	82 km
Jul 20, 2013	38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.9	101 km
Aug 16, 2013	30 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.9	93 km
Mar 22, 1995	27 km N of Picton, New Zealand	M5.8	68 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M5.7	131 km
Feb 15, 2023	55 km NW of Raumati Beach, New Zealand	M5.7	134 km
Oct 4, 1990	25 km SE of Brooklyn, New Zealand	M5.6	142 km
Aug 16, 2013	30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.5	88 km
Jul 18, 2013	38 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.5	99 km
Mar 13, 2005	83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand	M5.4	126 km
Jan 5, 2017	36 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.4	90 km
Aug 16, 2013	25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.4	84 km
Jul 15, 2009	83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand	M5.4	126 km
Jul 21, 2013	34 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.3	95 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 11.0 m (36 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1855	NORTHERN ISLAND	Earthquake	11.0 m	—	144 km
1868	NEW ZEALAND	Earthquake	3.0 m	—	123 km
2013	WELLINGTON	Earthquake	0.1 m	—	89 km
2013	COOK STRAIT	Earthquake	0.1 m	—	100 km
1855	WHARANUI	Earthquake	—	—	99 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	59°F (15°C)	3.9 in
February	62°F (17°C)	2.7 in	Warmest, Driest
March	60°F (16°C)	4.0 in
April	55°F (13°C)	4.8 in
May	50°F (10°C)	4.4 in
June	46°F (8°C)	4.3 in
July	43°F (6°C)	5.0 in	Coldest
August	46°F (8°C)	5.7 in	Wettest
September	49°F (10°C)	4.3 in
October	53°F (12°C)	5.1 in
November	56°F (13°C)	4.3 in
December	60°F (15°C)	4.0 in

Nelson South has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 43°F in July to 62°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 52.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.7") and February the driest (2.7").

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