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Weather & Climate in Bluff, New Zealand
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bluff experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 45°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 271 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 46.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.0 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 102 feet.
Temperature
61°F Jan (16°C)
45°F Jul (7°C)
| Annual Average | 51.8°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| July Average | 45°F (7°C) |
| Sunny Days | 271 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 102 ft (31 m) |
| Area | 225.8 sq mi (584.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 9/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -46.6000°N, 168.3333°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
46 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.1.
| Jul 12, 2008 | 85 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand | M5.1 | 147 km | 101 km |
| Feb 28, 2010 | 48 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand | M5.1 | 143 km | 33 km |
| Jul 15, 2009 | 77 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand | M4.9 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 2009 | 82 km WNW of Riverton, New Zealand | M4.8 | 115 km | 12 km |
| Jan 13, 2015 | 49 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand | M4.7 | 150 km | 89 km |
| Apr 25, 2005 | 81 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand | M4.7 | 127 km | 92 km |
| May 11, 2012 | 61 km WNW of Riverton, New Zealand | M4.7 | 94 km | 12 km |
| Aug 20, 2009 | 121 km W of Riverton, New Zealand | M4.5 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2009 | 29 km NW of Riverton, New Zealand | M4.5 | 66 km | 5 km |
| Oct 12, 2000 | 15 km N of Papatowai, New Zealand | M4.5 | 92 km | 31 km |
| Sep 30, 2003 | 55 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand | M4.4 | 150 km | 12 km |
| Oct 23, 2013 | 41 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand | M4.4 | 145 km | 73 km |
| Apr 20, 2001 | 35 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand | M4.4 | 132 km | 4 km |
| Mar 11, 1995 | 34 km SSE of Te Anau, New Zealand | M4.4 | 106 km | 33 km |
| Mar 17, 2020 | 70 km S of Papatowai, New Zealand | M4.4 | 119 km | 10 km |
| May 13, 2009 | 64 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand | M4.4 | 120 km | 12 km |
| Feb 16, 2018 | 41 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand | M4.3 | 138 km | 15 km |
| May 23, 2014 | 47 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand | M4.3 | 142 km | 80 km |
| Feb 10, 2005 | 129 km WSW of Riverton, New Zealand | M4.3 | 141 km | 12 km |
| Feb 6, 2006 | 62 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand | M4.3 | 134 km | 103 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1839 | WAIKAWA, SOUTHLAND | Unknown | — | — | 61 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest |
| February | 57°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 3.4 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 44°F (6°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| July | 45°F (7°C) | 3.1 in | |
| August | 44°F (7°C) | 2.4 in | |
| September | 48°F (9°C) | 3.0 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 2.1 in | Driest |
| December | 55°F (13°C) | 2.4 in |
Bluff has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 44°F in June to 61°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 37.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and November the driest (2.1").