All Countries
Weather & Climate in Murchison, New Zealand
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Murchison experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 39°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 169 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 91.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 564 feet.
Temperature
58°F Jan (15°C)
39°F Jul (4°C)
| Annual Average | 49.1°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 58°F (15°C) |
| July Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| Sunny Days | 169 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 564 ft (172 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 361/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -41.8000°N, 172.3333°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
459 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.8.
| Jun 18, 1994 | 56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand | M6.8 | 141 km | 14 km |
| Nov 24, 1995 | 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand | M6.2 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand | M6.1 | 63 km | 48 km |
| Feb 10, 1990 | 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand | M6.0 | 72 km | 10 km |
| May 27, 1992 | 21 km WSW of Blenheim, New Zealand | M6.0 | 118 km | 85 km |
| Jan 28, 1991 | 29 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand | M5.9 | 57 km | 19 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.9 | 143 km | 9 km |
| Feb 10, 1990 | 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand | M5.7 | 65 km | 10 km |
| Jan 28, 1991 | 27 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand | M5.7 | 56 km | 27 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.5 | 148 km | 6 km |
| Feb 15, 1991 | 38 km S of Westport, New Zealand | M5.4 | 65 km | 31 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.4 | 148 km | 9 km |
| Jan 5, 2017 | 36 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.4 | 143 km | 17 km |
| Feb 21, 2022 | 36 km SW of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.2 | 109 km | 36 km |
| Nov 29, 1997 | 22 km ENE of Nelson, New Zealand | M5.2 | 120 km | 104 km |
| Feb 9, 2016 | 79 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand | M5.2 | 71 km | 54 km |
| Aug 17, 2013 | 29 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.2 | 142 km | 20 km |
| May 4, 2002 | 66 km W of Wakefield, New Zealand | M5.2 | 45 km | 33 km |
| Aug 29, 1996 | 74 km N of Amberley, New Zealand | M5.2 | 84 km | 33 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.1 | 143 km | 17 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
4 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 | 120 km |
| 1913 | TASMAN SEA | Earthquake | 1.5 m | — | 69 km |
| 1922 | SE. NEW ZEALAND | Earthquake | 0.4 m | — | 144 km |
| 1855 | WHARANUI | Earthquake | — | — | 146 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 58°F (15°C) | 6.7 in | |
| February | 58°F (15°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 6.3 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 7.8 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 8.8 in | |
| June | 41°F (5°C) | 7.8 in | |
| July | 39°F (4°C) | 7.8 in | Coldest |
| August | 42°F (5°C) | 6.7 in | |
| September | 45°F (7°C) | 9.1 in | Wettest |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 8.4 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 8.4 in | |
| December | 56°F (13°C) | 9.1 in |
Murchison has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 39°F in July to 58°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 91.9 inches, with September being the wettest month (9.1") and February the driest (5.0").