Weather & Climate in Fairlie, New Zealand
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fairlie experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 38°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 44.5 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 1,001 feet.
Temperature
58°F Jan (15°C)
38°F Jul (3°C)
| Annual Average | 48.7°F |
| 10% below US avg | |
| January Average | 58°F (15°C) |
| July Average | 38°F (3°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,001 ft (305 m) |
| Coordinates | 44.1000°S, 170.8333°E |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
395 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 | 103 km | 12 km |
| Jun 18, 1994 | 56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand | M6.8 | 143 km | 14 km |
| Nov 24, 1995 | 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand | M6.2 | 146 km | 10 km |
| Jun 19, 1994 | 40 km N of Methven, New Zealand | M6.0 | 111 km | 10 km |
| Jan 5, 2015 | 43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand | M5.6 | 121 km | 8 km |
| Sep 19, 2023 | Canterbury, New Zealand | M5.5 | 50 km | 12 km |
| Mar 30, 1992 | 57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand | M5.5 | 115 km | 12 km |
| May 29, 1995 | South Island of New Zealand | M5.5 | 129 km | 10 km |
| May 2, 2005 | 83 km N of Wanaka, New Zealand | M5.4 | 146 km | 13 km |
| Jun 21, 1994 | 47 km N of Methven, New Zealand | M5.4 | 117 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1998 | 104 km NNE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M5.4 | 98 km | 10 km |
| Jul 10, 1990 | South Island of New Zealand | M5.2 | 132 km | 10 km |
| Jun 21, 2011 | 1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand | M5.2 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Sep 3, 2010 | 16 km NNW of Rakaia, New Zealand | M5.1 | 102 km | 10 km |
| Jul 6, 2015 | 56 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M5.1 | 95 km | 10 km |
| Oct 4, 2010 | 5 km ESE of Prebbleton, New Zealand | M5.1 | 150 km | 10 km |
| Jan 19, 2011 | 2 km S of Prebbleton, New Zealand | M5.1 | 146 km | 0 km |
| Sep 4, 2010 | 15 km SW of Darfield, New Zealand | M5.0 | 108 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 2005 | 85 km N of Wanaka, New Zealand | M5.0 | 147 km | 14 km |
| Sep 3, 2010 | 6 km NNE of Rolleston, New Zealand | M5.0 | 142 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.0 m (3 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1856 | S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND | Unknown | 1.0 m | - | 94 km |
| 2002 | ALBERT TOWN | Meteorological | - | - | 146 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 58°F (15°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| February | 58°F (15°C) | 4.2 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 in | |
| June | 39°F (4°C) | 2.5 in | Driest |
| July | 38°F (3°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
| August | 40°F (5°C) | 3.3 in | |
| September | 45°F (7°C) | 2.9 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 56°F (13°C) | 4.7 in |
Fairlie has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 38°F in July to 58°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 44.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.8") and June the driest (2.5").