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Wellington, New Zealand · Temperate oceanic

Wellington in October: go or not?

Tough period. Wellington in October only reaches 4.3/10.

📅 Updated August 2026 🛰️ ERA5 · 10 years 📍 41.29°S · 174.78°E
⚡ This month's verdict
Avoid
Wellington · October
4.3
11–15°
Temperature
41%
Rain
6h
Sun
🌊 Seaside☀️ Bright🍴 Gastronomy
Photo : Corey Serravite via Unsplash
The month in detail

What to expect in October

Autumn marks the end of peak season in Wellington. Temperatures drop (15.0°F) and rain returns (41.0% of days). Expect rain on 41.0% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.

October ranks 7 out of 12 months in Wellington. Compared to September: +2°F daytime, +0.7h of sun per day.

This month's conditions

What it's like in October

UV index
6 · moderate
protect during midday hours
Feels like
dry air
9°
Sea
14°C
cold, for the brave
Daylight
13.1h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 23
Compare

Is October the right month?

The best month in Wellington is January (7.7/10), 3.4 pts higher than October.

See January →See all 12 months →
Context

Our verdict

Wellington, the New Zealand capital: 215,000 inhabitants, the windiest city in the world ("Windy Welly", average annual wind 17 miles/h), intense café culture, cultural scene. January-February are my favorite months (8.1-8.3/10): 59-68°F, 26% rain, austral summer.

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

🏨
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Wellington
Expedia →
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Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
✈️
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →

🎟️ Activities & tours · Wellington

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

See all →
Affiliate link · GetYourGuide
Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach trip.

Country · New Zealand

🗣️LanguageEnglish
💶CurrencyNew Zealand Dollar ($)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘModerate · 3/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJanuary · 68°F
❄️Coolest monthJuly · 54°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJuly · 43%

🏖️ Beach trip

📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
Explore

Other destinations in October

If October doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate
New ZealandNew ZealandAucklandNew ZealandGuadeloupeGuadeloupeTaupoNew ZealandBasseterreSaint Kitts and Nevis
Nearby
ChristchurchNew Zealand305 kmRotoruaNew Zealand372 kmQueenstownNew Zealand647 kmQueenstown SkiNew Zealand647 km
Other top picks
Cape VerdeCape Verde5.9SalCape Verde6.1Marsa AlamEgypt6.5DurbanSouth Africa7.7LimaPeru7.7
← SeptemberNovember →
🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map
Location

Where is Wellington ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
New Zealand
Temperate oceanic climate with a 7.7 → 4.1 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
41.29°S · 174.78°E
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Wellington?
January is the best month with 68°F highs, 59°F lows, 7.5h of sunshine and 26.0% rainy days. The months of January & February offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Wellington get in January?
Wellington averages 7.5 sunshine hours per day in January. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.2/10.
What is the rainiest month in Wellington?
June is the most unfavourable month with June has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Wellington in January?
In January, overnight lows reach 59°F, while afternoon highs average 68°F.
Is Wellington good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Wellington scores 7.1/10 on average — Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains January with a score of 7.2/10.
When should you avoid Wellington?
June is the most difficult month to visit Wellington, with June has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Wellington in October?
In October, the sea averages 58°F in Wellington: cold, for the brave. Best left to hardened swimmers or those with a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Wellington in October?
The average UV index reaches 6 in October in Wellington (moderate), with about 13.1h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.