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Weather & Climate in Oxford, New Zealand
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Oxford experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 60°F in January while summers reach 41°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 267 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 38.1 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 801 feet.
Temperature
60°F Jan (16°C)
41°F Jul (5°C)
| Annual Average | 50.8°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 60°F (16°C) |
| July Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| Sunny Days | 267 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 801 ft (244 m) |
| Area | 8.5 sq mi (22.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 263/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -43.3000°N, 172.1833°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
713 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 | 38 km | 12 km |
| Jun 18, 1994 | 56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand | M6.8 | 57 km | 14 km |
| Nov 24, 1995 | 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand | M6.2 | 47 km | 10 km |
| Feb 21, 2011 | 6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M6.1 | 51 km | 6 km |
| Feb 10, 1990 | 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand | M6.0 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Jun 19, 1994 | 40 km N of Methven, New Zealand | M6.0 | 46 km | 10 km |
| Jun 13, 2011 | 9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.9 | 54 km | 6 km |
| Jan 28, 1991 | 29 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand | M5.9 | 149 km | 19 km |
| Feb 14, 2016 | 12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.8 | 52 km | 8 km |
| Feb 10, 1990 | 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand | M5.7 | 111 km | 10 km |
| Jan 5, 2015 | 43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand | M5.6 | 82 km | 8 km |
| Feb 22, 2011 | 7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.6 | 48 km | 7 km |
| Sep 19, 2023 | Canterbury, New Zealand | M5.5 | 97 km | 12 km |
| Mar 30, 1992 | 57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand | M5.5 | 67 km | 12 km |
| Feb 22, 2011 | 6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.5 | 50 km | 6 km |
| May 29, 1995 | South Island of New Zealand | M5.5 | 61 km | 10 km |
| Jun 21, 1994 | 47 km N of Methven, New Zealand | M5.4 | 49 km | 10 km |
| Feb 15, 1991 | 38 km S of Westport, New Zealand | M5.4 | 141 km | 31 km |
| Jun 21, 2011 | 1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand | M5.2 | 43 km | 8 km |
| Jun 13, 2011 | 10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand | M5.2 | 56 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
7 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 | 95 km |
| 1895 | PIEGON BAY | Meteorological | 5.0 m | — | 72 km |
| 1881 | PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA) | Earthquake | 3.0 m | — | 72 km |
| 1856 | S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND | Unknown | 1.0 m | — | 79 km |
| 1869 | NEW ZEALAND | Unknown | 0.6 m | — | 119 km |
| 1922 | SE. NEW ZEALAND | Earthquake | 0.4 m | — | 74 km |
| 1978 | OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND | Meteorological | — | — | 68 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 60°F (16°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| February | 60°F (15°C) | 2.6 in | Driest |
| March | 57°F (14°C) | 3.4 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 46°F (8°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 42°F (5°C) | 2.8 in | |
| July | 41°F (5°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest, Wettest |
| August | 43°F (6°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 47°F (8°C) | 2.7 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 58°F (14°C) | 3.2 in |
Oxford has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 41°F in July to 60°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 38.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.5") and February the driest (2.6").