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Weather & Climate in Nelson, New Zealand
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nelson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 43°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 276 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 50.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.1 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 36 feet.
Temperature
59°F Jan (15°C)
43°F Jul (6°C)
| Annual Average | 50.9°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| July Average | 43°F (6°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 36 ft (11 m) |
| Area | 171.8 sq mi (445.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 317/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -41.2708°N, 173.2840°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
1,061 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 | 100 km | 17 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 29 km SE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M6.5 | 89 km | 8 km |
| Jul 3, 2012 | 63 km S of Opunake, New Zealand | M6.3 | 144 km | 230 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand | M6.1 | 91 km | 48 km |
| Feb 10, 1990 | 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand | M6.0 | 126 km | 10 km |
| May 27, 1992 | 21 km WSW of Blenheim, New Zealand | M6.0 | 53 km | 85 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 30 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.9 | 93 km | 14 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.9 | 83 km | 9 km |
| Jul 20, 2013 | 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.9 | 101 km | 14 km |
| Mar 22, 1995 | 27 km N of Picton, New Zealand | M5.8 | 67 km | 87 km |
| Feb 15, 2023 | 55 km NW of Raumati Beach, New Zealand | M5.7 | 132 km | 78 km |
| Feb 10, 1990 | 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand | M5.7 | 133 km | 10 km |
| Oct 4, 1990 | 25 km SE of Brooklyn, New Zealand | M5.6 | 141 km | 37 km |
| Jul 18, 2013 | 38 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.5 | 99 km | 18 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.5 | 88 km | 6 km |
| Jan 5, 2017 | 36 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.4 | 90 km | 17 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.4 | 85 km | 9 km |
| Jul 15, 2009 | 83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand | M5.4 | 125 km | 163 km |
| Mar 13, 2005 | 83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand | M5.4 | 124 km | 141 km |
| Jul 21, 2013 | 34 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.3 | 95 km | 13 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 11.0 m (36 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1855 | NORTHERN ISLAND | Earthquake | 11.0 m | — | 143 km |
| 1868 | NEW ZEALAND | Earthquake | 3.0 m | — | 121 km |
| 2013 | WELLINGTON | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 89 km |
| 2013 | COOK STRAIT | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 100 km |
| 1855 | WHARANUI | Earthquake | — | — | 99 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 59°F (15°C) | 3.9 in | |
| February | 62°F (17°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest, Driest |
| March | 60°F (16°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 4.8 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 46°F (8°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 43°F (6°C) | 5.0 in | Coldest |
| August | 46°F (8°C) | 5.7 in | Wettest |
| September | 49°F (10°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 in | |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 60°F (15°C) | 4.0 in |
Nelson has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 43°F in July to 62°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 52.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.7") and February the driest (2.7").