All Countries
Weather & Climate in Ruatoria, New Zealand
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ruatoria enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 65°F in January while summers reach 48°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 205 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 72.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 197 feet.
Temperature
65°F Jan (18°C)
48°F Jul (9°C)
| Annual Average | 56.5°F |
| 5% above US avg | |
| January Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| July Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| Sunny Days | 205 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 197 ft (60 m) |
| Area | 248.7 sq mi (644.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 4/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -37.8833°N, 178.3333°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
1,628 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.
| Mar 4, 2021 | 182 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand | M7.3 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Feb 5, 1995 | 118 km NNE of Gisborne, New Zealand | M7.1 | 39 km | 21 km |
| Sep 1, 2016 | 175 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand | M7.0 | 92 km | 19 km |
| Oct 21, 2001 | 178 km ENE of Opotiki, New Zealand | M6.7 | 101 km | 18 km |
| Feb 10, 1995 | 102 km NNE of Gisborne, New Zealand | M6.5 | 24 km | 28 km |
| Dec 15, 1994 | 83 km NNE of Opotiki, New Zealand | M6.5 | 98 km | 33 km |
| Aug 10, 1993 | 42 km WNW of Gisborne, New Zealand | M6.4 | 98 km | 14 km |
| Mar 6, 2021 | 183 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand | M6.3 | 116 km | 13 km |
| Jun 21, 1992 | 31 km NNW of Whakatane, New Zealand | M6.2 | 131 km | 10 km |
| Apr 5, 2021 | 194 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand | M6.1 | 124 km | 24 km |
| Sep 1, 2016 | 179 km NE of Opotiki, New Zealand | M6.1 | 106 km | 14 km |
| Feb 13, 1995 | 125 km ENE of Opotiki, New Zealand | M6.0 | 39 km | 28 km |
| Sep 5, 2016 | 158 km NE of Opotiki, New Zealand | M5.9 | 90 km | 27 km |
| Feb 6, 1995 | 117 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand | M5.9 | 45 km | 33 km |
| Feb 6, 1995 | 100 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand | M5.9 | 36 km | 33 km |
| Aug 31, 2016 | 174 km NE of Opotiki, New Zealand | M5.8 | 99 km | 15 km |
| Oct 8, 2016 | 154 km NE of Opotiki, New Zealand | M5.8 | 89 km | 35 km |
| May 16, 1992 | 25 km NNW of Gisborne, New Zealand | M5.8 | 77 km | 45 km |
| Feb 9, 1995 | 91 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand | M5.7 | 25 km | 33 km |
| Aug 18, 1999 | 74 km N of Opotiki, New Zealand | M5.7 | 107 km | 155 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
7 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 10.0 m (33 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1947 | OFF COAST OF NORTH ISLAND | Eruption + Earthquake | 10.0 m | — | 117 km |
| 1947 | OFF COAST OF NORTH ISLAND | Earthquake | 6.0 m | — | 77 km |
| 2021 | GISBORNE | Earthquake | 0.3 m | — | 104 km |
| 2016 | GISBORNE | Earthquake | 0.2 m | — | 92 km |
| 1914 | TOLAGA BAY, NORTH ISLAND | Eruption + Earthquake | — | 1 | 15 km |
| 1880 | GISBORNE | Earthquake | — | — | 117 km |
| 1831 | POVERTY BAY, NORTH ISLAND | Earthquake | — | — | 95 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Whakaari/White Island (109 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Whakaari/White Island | Stratovolcano(es) | 294 m (965 ft) | 2019 | 109 km |
| Okataina | Lava dome(s) | 1,111 m (3,645 ft) | 1981 | 163 km |
| Reporoa | Caldera | 592 m (1,942 ft) | 1180 | 185 km |
| Mayor Island | Shield | 355 m (1,165 ft) | -5060 | 196 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 65°F (18°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| February | 65°F (18°C) | 4.5 in | |
| March | 62°F (17°C) | 6.9 in | |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 5.3 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 6.4 in | |
| June | 49°F (10°C) | 8.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 48°F (9°C) | 8.1 in | Coldest |
| August | 49°F (10°C) | 8.4 in | |
| September | 52°F (11°C) | 6.5 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 4.1 in | Driest |
| November | 59°F (15°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 62°F (17°C) | 5.1 in |
Ruatoria has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 48°F in July to 65°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 72.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (8.4") and October the driest (4.1").