When is the best time to go to Nelson
The chart above shows the best time of year to visit Nelson, New Zealand. These are based on an analysis of weather averages such as temperature, rainfall and number of hours of sunshine. These ratings are based solely on the climate and do not take into account other factors such as accommodation prices and how busy it is likely to be.
Average temperatures in Nelson
Nelson weather by month
Please note our recommendations for when to visit Nelson are based solely on the weather and do not take into accounts accommodation prices, how busy it will be and what events are on.
January
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20°C | 97mm | 9hrs | 15.8hrs | 17°C |
January is a a little damp month in Nelson and the temperature is generally mild.
It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Nelson, with some inordinately good weather at this time of year.
January is in the summer in Nelson and is typically the coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 22°C (72°F), whilst at night 12°C (54°F) is normal.
On average January is the driest month of the year in Nelson with around 97mm 3.8 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 9 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 9 hours of sunshine per day.
February
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20°C | 77mm | 8.5hrs | 14.7hrs | 18°C |
February in Nelson is generally reasonably dry with the temperature being mild.
It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Nelson, with some extremely good weather at this time of year.
February is in the summer in Nelson and is typically the 2nd coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 22°C (72°F), whilst at night 12°C (53°F) is normal.
On average February is the 2nd driest month of the year in Nelson with around 77mm 3 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 8 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 8.5 hours of sunshine per day.
March
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19°C | 108mm | 6.9hrs | 13.4hrs | 17°C |
The weather in March in Nelson is characteristically mild and damp.
It is perhaps a good month to visit Nelson, with some extremely good weather at this time of year.
March is in the fall / autumn in Nelson and is typically the 3rd coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 21°C (69°F), whilst at night 11°C (52°F) is normal.
On average March is the 3rd driest month of the year in Nelson with around 108mm 4.3 inches of rain making it a damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 10 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 6.9 hours of sunshine per day.
April
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16°C | 125mm | 6.5hrs | 12hrs | 16°C |
Nelson's weather in April is typically mild and wet in nature.
Although outside the main holiday season, there is still plenty of reasonably acceptable weather around this time of year. This makes it an okay time to visit Nelson.
April is in the fall / autumn in Nelson and is typically the 4th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 18°C (64°F), whilst at night 8°C (46°F) is normal.
On average April is the 4th driest month of the year in Nelson with around 125mm 4.9 inches of rain making it a wet time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 10 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 6.5 hours of sunshine per day.
May
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13°C | 128mm | 5.7hrs | 10.9hrs | 15°C |
May is a wet month in Nelson and the temperature is generally cool.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Nelson for your holidays. The weather is often not a good and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
May is in the fall / autumn in Nelson and is typically the 5th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 15°C (59°F), whilst at night 5°C (41°F) is normal.
On average May is the 5th driest month of the year in Nelson with around 128mm 5 inches of rain making it a wet time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 10 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 5.7 hours of sunshine per day.
June
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11°C | 110mm | 5.1hrs | 15.8hrs | 13°C |
Nelson's weather in June is typically cool and damp in nature.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Nelson for your holidays. The weather is often not a good and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
June is in the winter in Nelson and is typically the 6th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 12°C (54°F), whilst at night 2°C (36°F) is normal.
On average June is the 6th driest month of the year in Nelson with around 110mm 4.3 inches of rain making it a damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 10 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 5.1 hours of sunshine per day.
July
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10°C | 121mm | 5.3hrs | 14.7hrs | 13°C |
July in Nelson is generally wet with the temperature being cool.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Nelson for your holidays. The weather is often relatively bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
July is in the winter in Nelson and is typically the 6th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 12°C (53°F), whilst at night 2°C (35°F) is normal.
On average July is the 6th wettest month of the year in Nelson with around 121mm 4.8 inches of rain making it a wet time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 11 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 5.3 hours of sunshine per day.
August
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11°C | 133mm | 5.6hrs | 13.4hrs | 12°C |
The weather in August in Nelson is characteristically cool and wet.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Nelson for your holidays. The weather is often not a good and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
August is in the winter in Nelson and is typically the 5th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 13°C (55°F), whilst at night 3°C (37°F) is normal.
On average August is the 5th wettest month of the year in Nelson with around 133mm 5.2 inches of rain making it a wet time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 12 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 5.6 hours of sunshine per day.
September
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13°C | 111mm | 6.4hrs | 12hrs | 12°C |
Nelson's weather in September is typically cool and damp in nature.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Nelson for your holidays. The weather is often relatively bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
September is in the spring in Nelson and is typically the 4th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 15°C (58°F), whilst at night 5°C (41°F) is normal.
On average September is the 4th wettest month of the year in Nelson with around 111mm 4.4 inches of rain making it a damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 13 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 6.4 hours of sunshine per day.
October
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15°C | 127mm | 7.3hrs | 10.9hrs | 13°C |
October is a wet month in Nelson and the temperature is generally mild.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Nelson for your holidays. The weather is often relatively bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
October is in the spring in Nelson and is typically the 3rd warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 17°C (62°F), whilst at night 7°C (45°F) is normal.
On average October is the 3rd wettest month of the year in Nelson with around 127mm 5 inches of rain making it a wet time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 12 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 7.3 hours of sunshine per day.
November
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17°C | 119mm | 7.8hrs | 15.8hrs | 14°C |
The climate in Nelson during November can be summarized as mild and damp.
Although outside the main holiday season, there is still plenty of quite acceptable weather around this time of year. This makes it an okay time to visit Nelson.
November is in the spring in Nelson and is typically the 2nd warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 18°C (65°F), whilst at night 9°C (48°F) is normal.
On average November is the 2nd wettest month of the year in Nelson with around 119mm 4.7 inches of rain making it a damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 12 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 7.8 hours of sunshine per day.
December
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18°C | 104mm | 8.1hrs | 14.7hrs | 16°C |
December in Nelson is generally damp with the temperature being mild.
Although outside the main holiday season, there is still plenty of reasonably acceptable weather around this time of year. This makes it a good time to visit Nelson.
December is in the summer in Nelson and is typically the warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 20°C (69°F), whilst at night 11°C (52°F) is normal.
On average December is the wettest month of the year in Nelson with around 104mm 4.1 inches of rain making it a damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 11 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 8.1 hours of sunshine per day.
Other monthly averages
Nelson weather stats
| Hottest month: | January | 21.9°C 71.4°F |
|---|---|---|
| Driest month: | February | 77mm 3ins |
| Sunniest month: | February | 8.5hrs |
| Coldest month: | July | 11.3°C 52.3°F |
| Wettest month: | August | 133mm 5.2ins |
| Warmest sea: | February | 17.7°C 63.9°F |
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