Does it rain a lot in New Zealand?
Rain. New Zealand’s average rainfall is high and evenly spread throughout the year. Over the northern and central areas of New Zealand more rain falls in winter than in summer, whereas for much of the southern part of New Zealand, winter is the season of least rainfall.
What is the average climate of New Zealand?
Temperature. New Zealand has a largely temperate climate. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as – 10°C in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine.
How often does it rain in NZ?
The rainiest period is from May to August, which is also the one with the most frequent rains (11 to 13 days per month) and the lowest amount of sunshine (3/4 sunshine hours per day). Even in summer, however, it rains on average for 7/8 days per month, except in February, when there are only 6 days with rainfall.
Why does it rain so much in New Zealand?
The humid westerly wind is forced up over the mountains, at cooler elevation water condenses and falls as snow or rain. This orographic rain explains the huge difference in conditions between the wet west and dry east of the South Island.
What is the wettest place in New Zealand?
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is the wettest inhabited place in New Zealand, and one of the wettest places in the world! The mean annual rainfall in Milford Sound is 6,813mm, and it rains there on average 182 days a year.
Which area of New Zealand gets the most rainfall?
West Coast
The West Coast of the South Island is the wettest area of New Zealand, whereas the area to the east of the mountains, just over 100 km away, is the driest. Most areas of New Zealand have between 600 and 1600 mm of rainfall, spread throughout the year with a dry period during the summer.
Is New Zealand dry?
New Zealand’s climate is complex and varies from warm subtropical in the far north to cool temperate climates in the far south, with severe alpine conditions in the mountainous areas. Most areas of New Zealand have between 600 and 1600 mm of rainfall, spread throughout the year with a dry period during the summer.