Weather & Climate in Arthur’s Pass, New Zealand

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Arthur’s Pass has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 32°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 112 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 123.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 28.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 2,444 feet.

Temperature

53°F Jan (11°C) 32°F Jul (-0°C)

Annual Average	42.4°F
	21% below US avg
January Average	53°F (11°C)
July Average	32°F (-0°C)
Sunny Days	112 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,444 ft (745 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density	4,044/sq mi
Coordinates	-42.9500°N, 171.5667°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 123.5"

225% above US avg

Snowfall 28.2"

Wettest Month (May) 12.56"

Driest Month (Feb) 7.56"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

728 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.0.

Sep 3, 2010	19 km NE of Methven, New Zealand	M7.0	67 km	12 km
Jun 18, 1994	56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.8	8 km	14 km
Nov 24, 1995	47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.2	19 km	10 km
Feb 21, 2011	6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M6.1	114 km	6 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M6.0	121 km	10 km
Jun 19, 1994	40 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M6.0	36 km	10 km
Jan 28, 1991	29 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand	M5.9	105 km	19 km
Jun 13, 2011	9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.9	117 km	6 km
Feb 14, 2016	12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.8	114 km	8 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M5.7	108 km	10 km
Jan 28, 1991	27 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand	M5.7	108 km	27 km
Feb 22, 2011	7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.6	112 km	7 km
Jan 5, 2015	43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand	M5.6	29 km	8 km
May 29, 1995	South Island of New Zealand	M5.5	12 km	10 km
Sep 19, 2023	Canterbury, New Zealand	M5.5	91 km	12 km
Feb 22, 2011	6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.5	113 km	6 km
Mar 30, 1992	57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand	M5.5	27 km	12 km
Feb 15, 1991	38 km S of Westport, New Zealand	M5.4	95 km	31 km
Jun 21, 1994	47 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M5.4	29 km	10 km
Jun 13, 2011	10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.2	119 km	9 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tsunami History

8 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	124 km
1895	PIEGON BAY	Meteorological	5.0 m	—	136 km
1881	PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA)	Earthquake	3.0 m	—	136 km
1913	TASMAN SEA	Earthquake	1.5 m	—	128 km
1856	S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND	Unknown	1.0 m	—	122 km
1869	NEW ZEALAND	Unknown	0.6 m	—	56 km
1922	SE. NEW ZEALAND	Earthquake	0.4 m	—	117 km
1978	OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND	Meteorological	—	—	115 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	53°F (11°C)	9.1 in
February	53°F (12°C)	7.6 in	Warmest, Driest
March	50°F (10°C)	9.5 in
April	44°F (7°C)	9.8 in
May	38°F (3°C)	12.6 in	Wettest
June	33°F (0°C)	9.6 in
July	32°F (-0°C)	9.4 in	Coldest
August	34°F (1°C)	9.2 in
September	37°F (3°C)	12.4 in
October	42°F (5°C)	11.1 in
November	45°F (7°C)	11.4 in
December	49°F (10°C)	11.8 in

Arthur’s Pass has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 32°F in July to 53°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 123.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (12.6") and February the driest (7.6").

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