Auckland Weather Overview
The city of Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand, an island country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Auckland is not only New Zealand's largest urban area, but also its most populous city. With around 1.5 million people, Auckland is mid-sized by most standards, but big compared to most cities in Oceania (for example the Australian cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Wellington, also in New Zealand).
Upon arrival, it is easy to see why life in Auckland revolves around the water. The city is nearly surrounded by two large bays. Interestingly, these two bays do not belong to the same body of water. One, is Manukau Harbour part of the Tasman Sea, while the other Waitemata Harbour is part of the Pacific Ocean.
In fact, Auckland is one of the few places in the world where it is possible to walk from one sea to another in a few short hours. Nicknamed the City of Sails, the harbours and wharfs that line the city's edges are filled with yachts, sailing and fishing boats of all sizes and expense.
Auckland is located on New Zealand's North Island, and has a warm temperate maritime climate, experiencing all four seasons, but not the extreme changes of temperature that other destinations can experience. It receives moderately high levels of rain year round and is also fairly humid. As it is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed to those of the Northern Hemisphere. Fortunately for Auckland, its northern location is the sunniest and warmest part of New Zealand.
Summer Weather in Auckland
Temperature
From December until March, Auckland is very warm and sunny with comparatively low rainfall. The average high temperature reaches 21°C (70°F) in December, climbs to 23°C (73°F) in January, then falls back to 22°C (72°F) in March.
It can get into the high 20s and the record high for the summer is 32.4°C (90.4°F), but extreme heat is very rare in Auckland. It can be a bit sticky and humid, but it is rarely uncomfortable, and the summer months are normally drier and less humid than the autumn. Even at the height of summer, Auckland remains comfortable enough for hiking and trekking along the gorgeous trails near the city center and in the nearby ranges.
At night it cools off pleasantly to the mid teens you might want to take an extra layer but you probably won't need it outside.
Rain
Rainfalls on around 12 days per month.
Sunshine Hours
Sunshine levels reach their annual peak of an average of seven hours per day. The sea temperature increases, getting to 18°C (64°F) in December and reaching 21°C (70°F) for February and March.
Autumn Weather in Auckland
Temperature
April and May are warm at first but soon becomes mild, seeing quite a bit of wet, grey weather. The average high temperature drops to 20°C (68°F) in April and 17°C (63°F) in May and similarly the average low drops to 13°C (55°F) in April and 11°C (52°F) in May.
Throughout the autumn months, it is generally warm enough to be in a t-shirt in the day, but night times can be quite cool. Visitors will want to prepare with appropriate layers and jackets to be comfortable when the sun sets.
Rain
Rainfall levels increase slightly and showers occur much more frequently, reaching an average of 15 rain days in April and 17 days with wet weather in May. The month of May receives an average 50 mm of rain and humidity rises to 85%.
Sunshine Hours
Sunshine levels decrease but some clear, bright skies between showers are still to be had with an average of 5 hours of sunshine per day.
Sea Temperature
The sea remains warm enough for swimming with an average sea temperature of 18°C (64°F) in the month of May.
Winter Weather in Auckland
Temperature
From June until August, is very mild and sunny for the season, but also sees the majority of Auckland's wet weather. The average high temperature gets down to 15°C (59°F) in June and August and reaches its lowest of 14°C (57°F) in July, which has an average low temperature of 8°C (46°F), the same average low temperature as in August.
Overall, July is the coldest month of the year. Frost does not develop and snow is extremely rare, as it simply doesn't get cold enough (due to which Auckland has seen the development New Zealand's only indoor snow dome). You will probably want to pack a light coat and layers, but more to protect you from the rain than the cold.
Rain
Rainfall increases in terms of frequency it rains on around 18 days per month. Light showers are more likely than severe storms.
Sea Temperature / Sunshine Hours
The sea is pretty nippy, but some might still consider taking a dip. Sunshine levels are at their lowest in June, July and August at an average of 4 hours per day in June and 5 hours in July and August.
Spring Weather in Auckland
In September and October, is warm but still quite wet. Given that there is not much of a temperature change throughout the year, the change from winter to spring can go a bit unnoticed when the calendar changes from August to September, however as September and October progress the temperatures do rise.
Temperature
The average high gets up to 16°C (61°F) in September and 17°C (63°F) in October, while the average low slowly creeps into the low teens, with the average low temperature in September being 10°C (50°F) and the low temperature in October rising to 12°C (54°F).
Rain
Rainfall decreases, but it still tends to rain on over half of the days in each month. Both months receive an average 40 mm of rain.
Sea Temperature / Sunshine Hours
The sea warms up, but it is still rather chilly in the mid teens. Sunshine levels to 5 or 6 hours per day. Foggy weather is most common in spring, though it can occur at any time of year.