Weather & Climate in Methven, New Zealand
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Methven experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 39°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 45.3 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 1,047 feet.
Temperature
59°F Jan (15°C)
39°F Jul (4°C)
| Annual Average | 49.5°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| July Average | 39°F (4°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,047 ft (319 m) |
| Coordinates | 43.6333°S, 171.6500°E |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
647 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 | 19 km | 12 km |
| Jun 18, 1994 | 56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand | M6.8 | 75 km | 14 km |
| Nov 24, 1995 | 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand | M6.2 | 73 km | 10 km |
| Feb 21, 2011 | 6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M6.1 | 83 km | 6 km |
| Jun 19, 1994 | 40 km N of Methven, New Zealand | M6.0 | 40 km | 10 km |
| Jun 13, 2011 | 9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.9 | 88 km | 6 km |
| Feb 14, 2016 | 12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.8 | 92 km | 8 km |
| Jan 5, 2015 | 43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand | M5.6 | 73 km | 8 km |
| Feb 22, 2011 | 7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.6 | 78 km | 7 km |
| Sep 19, 2023 | Canterbury, New Zealand | M5.5 | 43 km | 12 km |
| Mar 30, 1992 | 57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand | M5.5 | 58 km | 12 km |
| Feb 22, 2011 | 6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.5 | 81 km | 6 km |
| May 29, 1995 | South Island of New Zealand | M5.5 | 66 km | 10 km |
| Jun 21, 1994 | 47 km N of Methven, New Zealand | M5.4 | 48 km | 10 km |
| Jan 1, 2012 | 21 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.2 | 101 km | 14 km |
| Jun 21, 2011 | 1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand | M5.2 | 71 km | 8 km |
| Jun 13, 2011 | 10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.2 | 89 km | 9 km |
| Jan 14, 2012 | 10 km E of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.1 | 90 km | 6 km |
| Sep 3, 2010 | 16 km NNW of Rakaia, New Zealand | M5.1 | 21 km | 10 km |
| Oct 4, 2010 | 5 km ESE of Prebbleton, New Zealand | M5.1 | 74 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
6 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 5.0 m (16 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1895 | PIEGON BAY | Meteorological | 5.0 m | - | 101 km |
| 1881 | PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA) | Earthquake | 3.0 m | - | 101 km |
| 1856 | S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND | Unknown | 1.0 m | - | 50 km |
| 1869 | NEW ZEALAND | Unknown | 0.6 m | - | 116 km |
| 1922 | SE. NEW ZEALAND | Earthquake | 0.4 m | - | 130 km |
| 1978 | OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND | Meteorological | - | - | 123 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 59°F (15°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| February | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 3.8 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 40°F (4°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| July | 39°F (4°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| August | 42°F (5°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 46°F (8°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 57°F (14°C) | 4.2 in |
Methven has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 39°F in July to 59°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 45.3 inches, with October being the wettest month (4.3") and June the driest (2.8").