Weather & Climate in Masterton, New Zealand
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Masterton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (14°C). Winters average 64°F in January while summers reach 48°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 235 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 60.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.3 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 338 feet.
Temperature
64°F Jan (18°C)
48°F Jul (9°C)
| Annual Average | 56.3°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| July Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| Sunny Days | 235 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 338 ft (103 m) |
| Area | 1,028.7 sq mi (2,664.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 28/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -40.9597°N, 175.6575°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
1,190 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 | 138 km | 17 km |
| May 13, 1990 | 39 km E of Palmerston North, New Zealand | M6.4 | 81 km | 21 km |
| Feb 19, 1990 | 41 km E of Palmerston North, New Zealand | M6.3 | 78 km | 24 km |
| Jan 20, 2014 | 35 km NNE of Masterton, New Zealand | M6.1 | 36 km | 28 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 30 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.9 | 141 km | 14 km |
| Jul 20, 2013 | 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.9 | 130 km | 14 km |
| Mar 22, 1995 | 27 km N of Picton, New Zealand | M5.8 | 138 km | 87 km |
| Feb 15, 2023 | 55 km NW of Raumati Beach, New Zealand | M5.7 | 105 km | 78 km |
| Sep 8, 1991 | 29 km WSW of Bulls, New Zealand | M5.6 | 94 km | 88 km |
| Oct 4, 1990 | 25 km SE of Brooklyn, New Zealand | M5.6 | 83 km | 37 km |
| May 24, 2020 | 29 km WNW of Foxton, New Zealand | M5.6 | 88 km | 46 km |
| Mar 2, 1992 | 63 km N of Castlepoint, New Zealand | M5.5 | 91 km | 28 km |
| Jul 18, 2013 | 38 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.5 | 123 km | 18 km |
| Oct 6, 1990 | 24 km SW of Waipawa, New Zealand | M5.5 | 75 km | 39 km |
| Jun 9, 1991 | 38 km SSW of Patea, New Zealand | M5.4 | 143 km | 109 km |
| Apr 25, 2023 | 37 km E of Dannevirke, New Zealand | M5.4 | 107 km | 22 km |
| Sep 24, 2001 | 67 km NNE of Castlepoint, New Zealand | M5.4 | 100 km | 33 km |
| Apr 25, 2023 | North Island of New Zealand | M5.3 | 106 km | 20 km |
| Jul 21, 2013 | 34 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.3 | 126 km | 13 km |
| Feb 18, 2003 | 63 km NNE of Castlepoint, New Zealand | M5.3 | 102 km | 22 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 15.0 m (49 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1931 | N. NEW ZEALAND | Eruption + Earthquake | 15.0 m | 261 | 136 km |
| 1855 | NORTHERN ISLAND | Earthquake | 11.0 m | — | 64 km |
| 2013 | COOK STRAIT | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 138 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Ruapehu (187 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Ruapehu | Stratovolcano | 2,797 m (9,177 ft) | 2007 | 187 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 64°F (18°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| February | 63°F (17°C) | 2.6 in | Driest |
| March | 60°F (16°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 46°F (8°C) | 4.6 in | Coldest |
| July | 48°F (9°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| August | 47°F (8°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 56°F (14°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 60°F (16°C) | 3.4 in |
Masterton has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 46°F in June to 64°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 43.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.2") and February the driest (2.6").
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