Weather & Climate in Heathcote Valley, New Zealand
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Heathcote Valley experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 63°F in January while summers reach 45°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 34.2 inches. The area receives 1.1 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 82 feet.
Temperature
63°F Jan (17°C)
45°F Jul (7°C)
| Annual Average | 54.3°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 63°F (17°C) |
| July Average | 45°F (7°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 82 ft (25 m) |
| Area | 2.9 sq mi (7.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 782/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.5779°S, 172.7122°E |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
666 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 | 71 km | 12 km |
| Jun 18, 1994 | 56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand | M6.8 | 109 km | 14 km |
| Nov 24, 1995 | 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand | M6.2 | 100 km | 10 km |
| Feb 21, 2011 | 6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M6.1 | 3 km | 6 km |
| Jun 19, 1994 | 40 km N of Methven, New Zealand | M6.0 | 95 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 1990 | 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand | M6.0 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Jun 13, 2011 | 9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.9 | 3 km | 6 km |
| Feb 14, 2016 | 12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.8 | 12 km | 8 km |
| Feb 10, 1990 | 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand | M5.7 | 137 km | 10 km |
| Jan 5, 2015 | 43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand | M5.6 | 133 km | 8 km |
| Feb 22, 2011 | 7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.6 | 8 km | 7 km |
| Feb 22, 2011 | 6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.5 | 5 km | 6 km |
| Mar 30, 1992 | 57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand | M5.5 | 117 km | 12 km |
| May 29, 1995 | South Island of New Zealand | M5.5 | 114 km | 10 km |
| Sep 19, 2023 | Canterbury, New Zealand | M5.5 | 129 km | 12 km |
| Jun 21, 1994 | 47 km N of Methven, New Zealand | M5.4 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Jan 1, 2012 | 21 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.2 | 18 km | 14 km |
| Jun 21, 2011 | 1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand | M5.2 | 15 km | 8 km |
| Jun 13, 2011 | 10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.2 | 3 km | 9 km |
| Aug 29, 1996 | 74 km N of Amberley, New Zealand | M5.2 | 121 km | 33 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
6 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 | 98 km |
| 1895 | PIEGON BAY | Meteorological | 5.0 m | - | 20 km |
| 1881 | PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA) | Earthquake | 3.0 m | - | 20 km |
| 1856 | S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND | Unknown | 1.0 m | - | 74 km |
| 1922 | SE. NEW ZEALAND | Earthquake | 0.4 m | - | 68 km |
| 1978 | OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND | Meteorological | - | - | 59 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 63°F (17°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| February | 61°F (16°C) | 2.1 in | Driest |
| March | 59°F (15°C) | 2.7 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 44°F (7°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| July | 45°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | |
| August | 45°F (7°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| September | 49°F (9°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 2.2 in | |
| December | 59°F (15°C) | 2.2 in |
Heathcote Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 44°F in June to 63°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 34.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (2.1").