Weather & Climate in Waimate, New Zealand
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Waimate experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 41°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 39.0 inches. The area receives 1.9 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 200 feet.
Temperature
59°F Jan (15°C)
41°F Jul (5°C)
| Annual Average | 50.5°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| July Average | 41°F (5°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 200 ft (61 m) |
| Coordinates | 44.7284°S, 171.0501°E |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
91 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 | 148 km | 12 km |
| Sep 19, 2023 | Canterbury, New Zealand | M5.5 | 114 km | 12 km |
| Oct 20, 1998 | 104 km NNE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M5.4 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Jul 6, 2015 | 56 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M5.1 | 113 km | 10 km |
| Sep 3, 2010 | 16 km NNW of Rakaia, New Zealand | M5.1 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Sep 4, 2010 | 15 km SW of Darfield, New Zealand | M5.0 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Apr 2, 2005 | 67 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M4.9 | 102 km | 12 km |
| Sep 6, 2010 | 20 km ENE of Methven, New Zealand | M4.9 | 143 km | 9 km |
| Feb 8, 1998 | 42 km WNW of Oamaru, New Zealand | M4.8 | 54 km | 10 km |
| Aug 19, 2004 | 43 km NW of Geraldine, New Zealand | M4.7 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Sep 4, 2010 | South Island of New Zealand | M4.7 | 145 km | 9 km |
| Sep 3, 2010 | 15 km S of Darfield, New Zealand | M4.7 | 148 km | 7 km |
| Aug 1, 1993 | 43 km NNE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M4.7 | 146 km | 18 km |
| Apr 16, 2005 | 47 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M4.6 | 127 km | 8 km |
| Apr 5, 2012 | 74 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M4.5 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 2004 | 68 km WSW of Oamaru, New Zealand | M4.5 | 93 km | 12 km |
| May 18, 2001 | 53 km WNW of Methven, New Zealand | M4.5 | 138 km | 12 km |
| Aug 8, 2007 | 83 km NNE of Wanaka, New Zealand | M4.5 | 138 km | 12 km |
| Feb 26, 2024 | 26 km WNW of Methven, New Zealand | M4.5 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Sep 4, 2010 | 15 km NNE of Rakaia, New Zealand | M4.4 | 148 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.0 m (3 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1856 | S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND | Unknown | 1.0 m | - | 111 km |
| 2002 | ALBERT TOWN | Meteorological | - | - | 146 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 59°F (15°C) | 1.9 in | |
| February | 60°F (16°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| March | 58°F (14°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 1.9 in | |
| June | 43°F (6°C) | 1.3 in | |
| July | 41°F (5°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest |
| August | 45°F (7°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 48°F (9°C) | 1.2 in | Driest |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 1.9 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 1.8 in | |
| December | 58°F (14°C) | 2.1 in | Wettest |
Waimate has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 41°F in July to 60°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 20.7 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.1") and September the driest (1.2").