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Weather & Climate in Kaikoura, New Zealand
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kaikoura experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 46°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 269 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 36.7 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 125 feet.
Temperature
62°F Jan (17°C)
46°F Jul (8°C)
| Annual Average | 54.3°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 62°F (17°C) |
| July Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| Sunny Days | 269 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 125 ft (38 m) |
| Area | 2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -42.4167°N, 173.6833°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
848 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.5.
| Jul 21, 2013 | 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M6.5 | 96 km | 17 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 29 km SE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M6.5 | 85 km | 8 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand | M6.1 | 68 km | 48 km |
| Feb 10, 1990 | 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand | M6.0 | 73 km | 10 km |
| May 27, 1992 | 21 km WSW of Blenheim, New Zealand | M6.0 | 89 km | 85 km |
| Jul 20, 2013 | 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.9 | 104 km | 14 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.9 | 81 km | 9 km |
| Jun 13, 2011 | 9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.9 | 149 km | 6 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 30 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.9 | 96 km | 14 km |
| Feb 14, 2016 | 12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.8 | 140 km | 8 km |
| Feb 10, 1990 | 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand | M5.7 | 90 km | 10 km |
| Oct 4, 1990 | 25 km SE of Brooklyn, New Zealand | M5.6 | 148 km | 37 km |
| Jul 18, 2013 | 38 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.5 | 114 km | 18 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.5 | 81 km | 6 km |
| Jan 5, 2017 | 36 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.4 | 72 km | 17 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.4 | 87 km | 9 km |
| Jul 21, 2013 | 34 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.3 | 113 km | 13 km |
| Feb 9, 2016 | 79 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand | M5.2 | 60 km | 54 km |
| Jan 1, 2012 | 21 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.2 | 135 km | 14 km |
| Feb 21, 2022 | 36 km SW of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.2 | 74 km | 36 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 | 63 km |
| 1922 | SE. NEW ZEALAND | Earthquake | 0.4 m | — | 86 km |
| 2013 | WELLINGTON | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 85 km |
| 2013 | COOK STRAIT | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 96 km |
| 1978 | OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND | Meteorological | — | — | 94 km |
| 1855 | WHARANUI | Earthquake | — | — | 64 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 62°F (17°C) | 2.3 in | Warmest |
| February | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 in | Driest |
| March | 60°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| May | 51°F (11°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 47°F (8°C) | 2.8 in | |
| July | 46°F (8°C) | 4.1 in | Coldest |
| August | 47°F (8°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 51°F (10°C) | 2.9 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 57°F (14°C) | 2.4 in | |
| December | 60°F (16°C) | 2.3 in |
Kaikoura has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 46°F in July to 62°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 36.7 inches, with April being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (2.2").