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Weather & Climate in Waikanae, New Zealand
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Waikanae enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 65°F in January while summers reach 50°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 273 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 70.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.5 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 98 feet.
Temperature
65°F Jan (18°C)
50°F Jul (10°C)
| Annual Average | 56.8°F |
| 5% above US avg | |
| January Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| July Average | 50°F (10°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 98 ft (30 m) |
| Area | 410.7 sq mi (1,063.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 32/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -40.8833°N, 175.0667°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
1,326 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 | 110 km | 17 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 29 km SE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M6.5 | 122 km | 8 km |
| May 13, 1990 | 39 km E of Palmerston North, New Zealand | M6.4 | 107 km | 21 km |
| Jul 3, 2012 | 63 km S of Opunake, New Zealand | M6.3 | 147 km | 230 km |
| Feb 19, 1990 | 41 km E of Palmerston North, New Zealand | M6.3 | 106 km | 24 km |
| Jan 20, 2014 | 35 km NNE of Masterton, New Zealand | M6.1 | 68 km | 28 km |
| May 27, 1992 | 21 km WSW of Blenheim, New Zealand | M6.0 | 139 km | 85 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.9 | 128 km | 9 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 30 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.9 | 110 km | 14 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 | 90 km | 87 km |
| Feb 15, 2023 | 55 km NW of Raumati Beach, New Zealand | M5.7 | 58 km | 78 km |
| May 24, 2020 | 29 km WNW of Foxton, New Zealand | M5.6 | 57 km | 46 km |
| Oct 4, 1990 | 25 km SE of Brooklyn, New Zealand | M5.6 | 67 km | 37 km |
| Sep 8, 1991 | 29 km WSW of Bulls, New Zealand | M5.6 | 70 km | 88 km |
| Jul 18, 2013 | 38 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.5 | 92 km | 18 km |
| Oct 6, 1990 | 24 km SW of Waipawa, New Zealand | M5.5 | 82 km | 39 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.5 | 126 km | 6 km |
| Mar 2, 1992 | 63 km N of Castlepoint, New Zealand | M5.5 | 125 km | 28 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand | M5.4 | 121 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 15.0 m (49 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1931 | N. NEW ZEALAND | Eruption + Earthquake | 15.0 m | 261 | 148 km |
| 1855 | NORTHERN ISLAND | Earthquake | 11.0 m | — | 41 km |
| 2013 | WELLINGTON | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 122 km |
| 2013 | COOK STRAIT | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 110 km |
| 1855 | WHARANUI | Earthquake | — | — | 142 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Ruapehu (183 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Ruapehu | Stratovolcano | 2,797 m (9,177 ft) | 2007 | 183 km |
| Taranaki | Stratovolcano | 2,518 m (8,261 ft) | 1800 | 195 km |
| Tongariro | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,978 m (6,490 ft) | 2012 | 198 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 65°F (18°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest |
| February | 60°F (16°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| March | 58°F (15°C) | 4.6 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 49°F (10°C) | 6.0 in | |
| June | 45°F (7°C) | 6.1 in | Coldest |
| July | 50°F (10°C) | 6.6 in | Wettest |
| August | 46°F (8°C) | 5.6 in | |
| September | 48°F (9°C) | 5.5 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 6.1 in | |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 4.6 in | |
| December | 58°F (14°C) | 5.4 in |
Waikanae has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 45°F in June to 65°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 62.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.6") and February the driest (3.4").