Weather & Climate in Opawa, New Zealand
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Opawa experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 63°F in January while summers reach 45°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 34.2 inches. The area receives 1.1 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 33 feet.
Temperature
63°F Jan (17°C)
45°F Jul (7°C)
| Annual Average | 54.3°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 63°F (17°C) |
| July Average | 45°F (7°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 33 ft (10 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,750/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.5550°S, 172.6614°E |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
674 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 | 67 km | 12 km |
| Jun 18, 1994 | 56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand | M6.8 | 105 km | 14 km |
| Nov 24, 1995 | 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand | M6.2 | 95 km | 10 km |
| Feb 21, 2011 | 6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M6.1 | 4 km | 6 km |
| Feb 10, 1990 | 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand | M6.0 | 135 km | 10 km |
| Jun 19, 1994 | 40 km N of Methven, New Zealand | M6.0 | 91 km | 10 km |
| Jun 13, 2011 | 9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.9 | 7 km | 6 km |
| Feb 14, 2016 | 12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.8 | 12 km | 8 km |
| Feb 10, 1990 | 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand | M5.7 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Jan 5, 2015 | 43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand | M5.6 | 128 km | 8 km |
| Feb 22, 2011 | 7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.6 | 6 km | 7 km |
| May 29, 1995 | South Island of New Zealand | M5.5 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Sep 19, 2023 | Canterbury, New Zealand | M5.5 | 125 km | 12 km |
| Feb 22, 2011 | 6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.5 | 4 km | 6 km |
| Mar 30, 1992 | 57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand | M5.5 | 113 km | 12 km |
| Jun 21, 1994 | 47 km N of Methven, New Zealand | M5.4 | 95 km | 10 km |
| Aug 29, 1996 | 74 km N of Amberley, New Zealand | M5.2 | 119 km | 33 km |
| Jan 1, 2012 | 21 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.2 | 20 km | 14 km |
| Jun 13, 2011 | 10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.2 | 8 km | 9 km |
| Jun 21, 2011 | 1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand | M5.2 | 12 km | 8 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 | 96 km |
| 1895 | PIEGON BAY | Meteorological | 5.0 m | - | 24 km |
| 1881 | PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA) | Earthquake | 3.0 m | - | 24 km |
| 1856 | S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND | Unknown | 1.0 m | - | 73 km |
| 1922 | SE. NEW ZEALAND | Earthquake | 0.4 m | - | 68 km |
| 1978 | OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND | Meteorological | - | - | 58 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 63°F (17°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| February | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 in | Driest |
| March | 59°F (15°C) | 2.5 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 44°F (7°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| July | 45°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| August | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 49°F (10°C) | 2.0 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 56°F (14°C) | 2.1 in | |
| December | 60°F (16°C) | 2.1 in |
Opawa has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 44°F in June to 63°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 31.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (1.9").