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Weather & Climate in Whakatane, New Zealand
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Whakatane enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 63°F in January while summers reach 47°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 298 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 80.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 36 feet.
Temperature
63°F Jan (17°C)
47°F Jul (8°C)
| Annual Average | 55.7°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 63°F (17°C) |
| July Average | 47°F (8°C) |
| Sunny Days | 298 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 36 ft (11 m) |
| Area | 1,714.7 sq mi (4,441.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 11/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -37.9586°N, 176.9855°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
1,777 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.5.
| Feb 10, 1995 | 102 km NNE of Gisborne, New Zealand | M6.5 | 142 km | 28 km |
| Dec 15, 1994 | 83 km NNE of Opotiki, New Zealand | M6.5 | 89 km | 33 km |
| Aug 10, 1993 | 42 km WNW of Gisborne, New Zealand | M6.4 | 80 km | 14 km |
| Dec 7, 2012 | 27 km SE of Tokoroa, New Zealand | M6.3 | 96 km | 163 km |
| Oct 25, 1999 | 24 km W of Taupo, New Zealand | M6.2 | 132 km | 159 km |
| Jun 21, 1992 | 31 km NNW of Whakatane, New Zealand | M6.2 | 32 km | 10 km |
| Feb 13, 1995 | 125 km ENE of Opotiki, New Zealand | M6.0 | 149 km | 28 km |
| May 16, 1992 | 25 km NNW of Gisborne, New Zealand | M5.8 | 94 km | 45 km |
| Feb 9, 1995 | 91 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand | M5.7 | 141 km | 33 km |
| Aug 18, 1999 | 74 km N of Opotiki, New Zealand | M5.7 | 75 km | 155 km |
| Oct 16, 2012 | 8 km NE of Taupo, New Zealand | M5.6 | 104 km | 111 km |
| Jul 18, 2004 | 20 km WNW of Kawerau, New Zealand | M5.6 | 42 km | 5 km |
| Jan 27, 2011 | 21 km NNW of Taupo, New Zealand | M5.6 | 106 km | 158 km |
| Mar 25, 1992 | 28 km N of Whakatane, New Zealand | M5.6 | 28 km | 33 km |
| Mar 22, 1990 | 115 km NE of Maketu, New Zealand | M5.6 | 117 km | 225 km |
| May 5, 2023 | 82 km NNE of Whakatane, New Zealand | M5.6 | 83 km | 186 km |
| Jul 5, 2011 | 29 km W of Taupo, New Zealand | M5.5 | 134 km | 152 km |
| Nov 16, 1991 | 60 km NNE of Maketu, New Zealand | M5.5 | 79 km | 286 km |
| Mar 23, 1999 | 12 km NNW of Edgecumbe, New Zealand | M5.4 | 19 km | 148 km |
| Sep 29, 2010 | 126 km ENE of Tairua, New Zealand | M5.4 | 137 km | 282 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.0 m (3 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2022 | LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND | Earthquake | 1.0 m | — | 133 km |
| 1956 | LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND | Earthquake | 0.9 m | — | 147 km |
| 1914 | TOLAGA BAY, NORTH ISLAND | Eruption + Earthquake | — | 1 | 108 km |
| 1895 | LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 127 km |
| 1831 | POVERTY BAY, NORTH ISLAND | Earthquake | — | — | 121 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
8 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Okataina (46 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Okataina | Lava dome(s) | 1,111 m (3,645 ft) | 1981 | 46 km |
| Whakaari/White Island | Stratovolcano(es) | 294 m (965 ft) | 2019 | 52 km |
| Reporoa | Caldera | 592 m (1,942 ft) | 1180 | 77 km |
| Maroa | Caldera(s) | 897 m (2,943 ft) | 180 | 94 km |
| Mayor Island | Shield | 355 m (1,165 ft) | -5060 | 99 km |
| Taupo | Caldera | 760 m (2,493 ft) | 260 | 129 km |
| Tongariro | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,978 m (6,490 ft) | 2012 | 178 km |
| Ruapehu | Stratovolcano | 2,797 m (9,177 ft) | 2007 | 192 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 63°F (17°C) | 3.7 in | Driest |
| February | 67°F (19°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| March | 64°F (18°C) | 5.1 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 4.0 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 4.7 in | |
| June | 50°F (10°C) | 5.6 in | |
| July | 47°F (8°C) | 5.1 in | Coldest |
| August | 50°F (10°C) | 5.9 in | Wettest |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 4.7 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 4.0 in | |
| November | 60°F (16°C) | 3.8 in | |
| December | 64°F (18°C) | 4.8 in |
Whakatane has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 47°F in July to 67°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 55.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.9") and January the driest (3.7").