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Weather & Climate in Whanganui, New Zealand
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Whanganui enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 64°F in January while summers reach 47°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 262 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 40.7 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 59 feet.
Temperature
64°F Jan (18°C)
47°F Jul (8°C)
| Annual Average | 55.8°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| July Average | 47°F (8°C) |
| Sunny Days | 262 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 59 ft (18 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 53,152/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -39.9333°N, 175.0500°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
1,329 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.4.
| May 13, 1990 | 39 km E of Palmerston North, New Zealand | M6.4 | 95 km | 21 km |
| Feb 19, 1990 | 41 km E of Palmerston North, New Zealand | M6.3 | 101 km | 24 km |
| Jul 3, 2012 | 63 km S of Opunake, New Zealand | M6.3 | 111 km | 230 km |
| Jan 20, 2014 | 35 km NNE of Masterton, New Zealand | M6.1 | 104 km | 28 km |
| May 18, 1999 | 54 km S of Otorohanga, New Zealand | M5.8 | 141 km | 283 km |
| Sep 19, 1995 | 15 km SW of Hawera, New Zealand | M5.8 | 80 km | 217 km |
| Jan 12, 2022 | 22 km ENE of Eltham, New Zealand | M5.7 | 81 km | 193 km |
| Apr 11, 1993 | 28 km WSW of Hastings, New Zealand | M5.7 | 129 km | 33 km |
| Feb 15, 2023 | 55 km NW of Raumati Beach, New Zealand | M5.7 | 82 km | 78 km |
| Sep 8, 1991 | 29 km WSW of Bulls, New Zealand | M5.6 | 35 km | 88 km |
| May 24, 2020 | 29 km WNW of Foxton, New Zealand | M5.6 | 50 km | 46 km |
| Oct 15, 2001 | 21 km WSW of Hastings, New Zealand | M5.5 | 136 km | 48 km |
| Mar 2, 1992 | 63 km N of Castlepoint, New Zealand | M5.5 | 120 km | 28 km |
| May 24, 2001 | 38 km WNW of Turangi, New Zealand | M5.5 | 122 km | 261 km |
| Sep 25, 1996 | 57 km ENE of Eltham, New Zealand | M5.4 | 83 km | 226 km |
| Apr 25, 2023 | 37 km E of Dannevirke, New Zealand | M5.4 | 131 km | 22 km |
| Jul 15, 2009 | 83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand | M5.4 | 126 km | 163 km |
| Mar 13, 2005 | 83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand | M5.4 | 128 km | 141 km |
| Jun 9, 1991 | 38 km SSW of Patea, New Zealand | M5.4 | 59 km | 109 km |
| Sep 24, 2001 | 67 km NNE of Castlepoint, New Zealand | M5.4 | 133 km | 33 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
6 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 | 85 km |
| 1855 | NORTHERN ISLAND | Earthquake | 11.0 m | — | 147 km |
| 1910 | LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND | Meteorological | 1.5 m | 1 | 123 km |
| 2022 | LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND | Earthquake | 1.0 m | — | 145 km |
| 1956 | LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND | Earthquake | 0.9 m | — | 132 km |
| 1846 | LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND | Unknown | — | — | 123 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Ruapehu (85 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Ruapehu | Stratovolcano | 2,797 m (9,177 ft) | 2007 | 85 km |
| Tongariro | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,978 m (6,490 ft) | 2012 | 100 km |
| Taranaki | Stratovolcano | 2,518 m (8,261 ft) | 1800 | 110 km |
| Taupo | Caldera | 760 m (2,493 ft) | 260 | 148 km |
| Maroa | Caldera(s) | 897 m (2,943 ft) | 180 | 190 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 64°F (18°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest |
| February | 64°F (18°C) | 2.6 in | Driest |
| March | 62°F (17°C) | 3.2 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 49°F (9°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| August | 49°F (9°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 52°F (11°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 58°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 61°F (16°C) | 3.6 in |
Whanganui has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 47°F in July to 64°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 40.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (2.6").