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Weather & Climate in Palmerston, New Zealand
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Palmerston experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 42°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 291 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 24.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 46 feet.
Temperature
59°F Jan (15°C)
42°F Jul (6°C)
| Annual Average | 50.7°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| July Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| Sunny Days | 291 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Area | 221.7 sq mi (574.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 5/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -45.4784°N, 170.7201°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
32 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.1.
| Jul 6, 2015 | 56 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M5.1 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Apr 2, 2005 | 67 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M4.9 | 140 km | 12 km |
| Feb 8, 1998 | 42 km WNW of Oamaru, New Zealand | M4.8 | 60 km | 10 km |
| Oct 12, 2000 | 15 km N of Papatowai, New Zealand | M4.5 | 140 km | 31 km |
| Feb 11, 2004 | 68 km WSW of Oamaru, New Zealand | M4.5 | 54 km | 12 km |
| Mar 20, 2011 | 79 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M4.4 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Mar 27, 2009 | 83 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M4.3 | 148 km | 14 km |
| Mar 20, 2011 | 73 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M4.3 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2015 | 33 km WNW of Dunedin, New Zealand | M4.3 | 54 km | 9 km |
| May 21, 1999 | 62 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M4.3 | 118 km | 12 km |
| May 26, 2009 | 60 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M4.3 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 2013 | 36 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M4.3 | 147 km | 9 km |
| May 27, 2011 | 43 km WSW of Pleasant Point, New Zealand | M4.3 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Aug 3, 2014 | 52 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M4.2 | 149 km | 40 km |
| Mar 20, 2011 | 75 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M4.2 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Feb 9, 1993 | 58 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M4.2 | 127 km | 10 km |
| Mar 20, 2011 | 75 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M4.2 | 140 km | 9 km |
| Aug 10, 2021 | 24 km SW of Pleasant Point, New Zealand | M4.2 | 119 km | 12 km |
| Jul 1, 2017 | 6 km NE of Cromwell, New Zealand | M4.1 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Jan 14, 2003 | 15 km ENE of Pleasant Point, New Zealand | M4.1 | 147 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2002 | ALBERT TOWN | Meteorological | — | — | 147 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 59°F (15°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest |
| February | 59°F (15°C) | 1.7 in | |
| March | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 1.8 in | |
| June | 43°F (6°C) | 1.8 in | |
| July | 42°F (6°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest |
| August | 44°F (7°C) | 1.7 in | |
| September | 47°F (8°C) | 1.4 in | Driest |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 57°F (14°C) | 2.6 in |
Palmerston has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 42°F in July to 59°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 24.7 inches, with October being the wettest month (3.3") and September the driest (1.4").