AI-generatedLyttelton at a glance
- Best time
- Jan – Feb
- Warmest month
- Jan · 23°
- Warmest sea
- Feb · 17.1°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,120 h
- Rain a year
- 595 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+13 / UTC+12
- Elevation
- 6 m
Climate in Lyttelton
Lyttelton has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. January is the warmest month with average highs of 23 °C, while July is the coolest at 12 °C. With around 2,120 hours of sunshine a year, Lyttelton is moderately sunny; November is the sunniest month with 7.6 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Lyttelton
The best time to visit Lyttelton is from January to February. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in February it only reaches 17.1 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from September to May. The wettest month is July with 58 mm of precipitation.
Lyttelton through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Lyttelton in spring
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 15–19 °C by day
- Sea 12 °C
- 6.6 h of sun a day
- 27 rainy days in all
Lyttelton in summer
Dec – Feb
Fair
- 22–23 °C by day
- Sea 16 °C
- 7.0 h of sun a day
- 23 rainy days in all
Lyttelton in autumn
Mar – May
Poor
- 15–21 °C by day
- Sea 15 °C
- 5.3 h of sun a day
- 23 rainy days in all
Lyttelton in winter
Jun – Aug
Poor
- 12–13 °C by day
- Sea 10 °C
- 4.3 h of sun a day
- 28 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Sep – May
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Lyttelton for you.
Your best months: January – February
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Poor
Best time to visit: January – February
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Good forSightseeing & walks
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 9°
- Midday, 13:00: about 16°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 17°
- Evening, 20:00: about 13°
- Night, 23:00: about 10°
06:3819:51
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 06:20–07:17 · evening 19:13–20:09
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:09–06:20 · evening 20:09–20:21
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
October in Lyttelton compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs rise from about 16° at the start of the month to 18° at the end. The sea warms from 11° to 13°. The days get 1.4 h longer.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 16° | 18° |
| Night-time low | 5° | 7° |
| Sea | 11° | 13° |
| Daylight | 12.5 h | 13.9 h |
What is the weather like in Lyttelton in October?
In October, Lyttelton is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 11.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 52 mm in total. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Lyttelton.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 13 h 13 min06:38 – 19:51
- UV index
- 6 · highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 23 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 58 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Time zone
- UTC+13offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %0 %
- Seaweight 25 %0 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %60 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %58 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Compare two months in Lyttelton
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
January has the better holiday weather in Lyttelton: score 52 against 24. In January, days are 6 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 5 °C warmer in January. January has 2 fewer rainy days. The sun shines an hour longer a day in January.
| Month | October | January |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 24 | 52better |
| Daytime high | 17° | 23° |
| Night-time low | 6° | 12° |
| Sea | 11.8° | 16.6° |
| Sunshine | 6.6 h | 7.3 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 10 | 8better |
| Rainfall | 52 mm | 47 mm |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Lyttelton month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
52January23° · Sea 17° · 7.3 h
In January, Lyttelton is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 16.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.3 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 47 mm. All in all, January is a so-so month for a holiday in Lyttelton – and yet one of the best months here.
Lyttelton in January51February23° · Sea 17° · 6.9 h
In February, Lyttelton is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 17.1 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 6.9 hours a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 40 mm. All in all, February is a so-so month for a holiday in Lyttelton – and yet one of the best months here.
Lyttelton in February37March21° · Sea 16° · 6.1 h
In March, Lyttelton is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 16.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6.1 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 43 mm. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Lyttelton.
Lyttelton in March22April18° · Sea 15° · 5.3 h
In April, Lyttelton is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 14.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.3 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 52 mm. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Lyttelton.
Lyttelton in April19May15° · Sea 13° · 4.6 h
In May, Lyttelton is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 13.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 53 mm. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Lyttelton.
Lyttelton in May15June12° · Sea 11° · 3.8 h
In June, Lyttelton is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sea averages 11.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 57 mm in total. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Lyttelton.
Lyttelton in June16July12° · Sea 10° · 4.1 h
In July, Lyttelton is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 1 °C. The sea averages 9.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.1 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 58 mm in total. All in all, July is not an ideal month for a holiday in Lyttelton.
Lyttelton in July18August13° · Sea 9° · 5.0 h
In August, Lyttelton is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sea averages 9.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.0 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 50 mm in total. All in all, August is not an ideal month for a holiday in Lyttelton.
Lyttelton in August23September15° · Sea 10° · 5.6 h
In September, Lyttelton is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 10.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 38 mm. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Lyttelton.
Lyttelton in September24October17° · Sea 12° · 6.6 h
In October, Lyttelton is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 11.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 52 mm in total. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Lyttelton.
Lyttelton in October30November19° · Sea 14° · 7.6 h
In November, Lyttelton is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 13.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.6 hours a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 49 mm. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Lyttelton.
Lyttelton in November40December22° · Sea 16° · 6.9 h
In December, Lyttelton is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 15.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 56 mm in total. All in all, December is a so-so month for a holiday in Lyttelton.
Lyttelton in DecemberClimate in detail
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Lyttelton
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
ColdOctober: nights around 6°. The room should be heated.
The coolest nights are in July (1°), the warmest in January (12°). Nights fall below 8 °C on average from April to October, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 52 | 23° | 12° | 16.6° | 7.3 h | 8 | 47 |
| FebruaryFeb | 51 | 23° | 12° | 17.1° | 6.9 h | 6 | 40 |
| MarchMar | 37 | 21° | 10° | 16.3° | 6.1 h | 6 | 43 |
| AprilApr | 22 | 18° | 7° | 14.7° | 5.3 h | 8 | 52 |
| MayMay | 19 | 15° | 4° | 13.0° | 4.6 h | 8 | 53 |
| JuneJun | 15 | 12° | 2° | 11.0° | 3.8 h | 9 | 57 |
| JulyJul | 16 | 12° | 1° | 9.8° | 4.1 h | 9 | 58 |
| AugustAug | 18 | 13° | 2° | 9.4° | 5.0 h | 10 | 50 |
| SeptemberSep | 23 | 15° | 4° | 10.2° | 5.6 h | 8 | 38 |
| OctoberOct | 24 | 17° | 6° | 11.8° | 6.6 h | 10 | 52 |
| NovemberNov | 30 | 19° | 8° | 13.9° | 7.6 h | 9 | 49 |
| DecemberDec | 40 | 22° | 11° | 15.5° | 6.9 h | 9 | 56 |
Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
43.60° S, 172.72° E · 6 m · Pacific/Auckland
Sea temperature in Lyttelton
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 11.2 – 12.4 °C
Swimming season: Always below 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Lyttelton ranges from 9.4 °C in August to 17.1 °C in February. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in February, while the air already peaks in January. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in February, eight out of ten years were between 16.2 and 18.1 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 16.6° | 15.7° | 17.8° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 17.1° | 16.2° | 18.1° | fresh |
| MarchMar | 16.3° | 15.4° | 17.4° | cold |
| AprilApr | 14.7° | 13.9° | 15.5° | cold |
| MayMay | 13.0° | 12.4° | 13.8° | cold |
| JuneJun | 11.0° | 10.4° | 11.8° | cold |
| JulyJul | 9.8° | 9.2° | 10.4° | cold |
| AugustAug | 9.4° | 8.7° | 10.0° | cold |
| SeptemberSep | 10.2° | 9.6° | 10.7° | cold |
| OctoberOct | 11.8° | 11.2° | 12.4° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 13.9° | 12.9° | 14.9° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 15.5° | 14.6° | 16.5° | cold |
Sunshine hours in Lyttelton
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 6.6 of 13.2 hours of daylight in Lyttelton, 50 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 20 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain in Lyttelton: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Lyttelton has about 10 rainy days with 52 mm of rain in total.
UV index in Lyttelton
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 6 · highSeek shade around midday; sunscreen SPF 30+, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in December (UV 9).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 20 min
- Fair skin
- about 25 min
- Light brown skin
- about 35 min
- Olive skin
- about 45 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Wind and clouds in Lyttelton
How breezy and how cloudy Lyttelton is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Lyttelton typically peaks at 23 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting: all year except Jul.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 58 % of the sky over Lyttelton: variable cloud, with about 6.6 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Planning a trip to Lyttelton
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Lyttelton in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Lyttelton has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 46) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 17).
- 27
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 19 °C by day
- Sea 15 °C
- 5.5 h of sun a day
- 8 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 18
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 15 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 4.4 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 17
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Poor
- 12 °C by day
- Sea 10 °C
- 4.7 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
- 24
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 17 °C by day
- Sea 12 °C
- 6.6 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 46
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
FairBest holidays
- 22 °C by day
- Sea 16 °C
- 7.1 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 23 h 25 min
- Distance
- 19,000 km
- Time zone
- UTC+13
- Jet lag
- About 12 days (12 h east)
Rule of thumb for flying east: for a few days before, go to bed and get up a little earlier, and get plenty of morning light at your destination.
Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Compare & alternatives
Lyttelton compared
Put Lyttelton side by side with another destination.
Lyttelton vs Christchurch
In October the holiday weather in Lyttelton and Christchurch is about equally good (score 24 vs 23). During the day it is about as warm in Christchurch as in Lyttelton.
| in October | Lyttelton | Christchurch |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 24 | 23 |
| Daytime high | 17° | 17° |
| Sea | 12° | no sea nearby |
| Sunshine | 7 h | 7 h |
| Rainy days | 10 | 11 |
| Best time | Jan – Feb | Nov – Apr |
Through the year
New Zealand in October: the best places
In October, Lyttelton ranks 20 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Hastings19°83
- 2Blenheim18°74
- 3Christchurch17°73
- 4Tauranga18°16°73
- 5Auckland18°16°72
- 6Matamata18°69
- 7Hamilton18°67
- 8Rotorua17°65
- 20LytteltonThis page17°12°24
Near Lyttelton
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Lyttelton
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Lyttelton's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Lyttelton
When is the best time to visit Lyttelton?
The best time to visit Lyttelton is from January to February. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Lyttelton?
The sea temperature in Lyttelton ranges from 9.4 °C in August to 17.1 °C in February. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Lyttelton in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 11.8 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Lyttelton?
January is the warmest month, with average highs of 23 °C and nights around 12 °C. July is the coolest month at 12 °C.
When does it rain most in Lyttelton?
The wettest month is July with 58 mm of precipitation. The driest month is September with 38 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Lyttelton get?
Lyttelton gets around 2,120 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is November with 7.6 hours a day; in June there are 3.8 hours a day.
What time zone is Lyttelton in?
Lyttelton is on UTC+13 in January and UTC+12 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Lyttelton?
A nonstop flight from London to Lyttelton takes about 23 h 25 min, for a straight-line distance of about 19,000 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Which school holidays are best for Lyttelton?
Lyttelton has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 46) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 17). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 27, May half-term 18, summer holidays 17, October half-term 24, Christmas holidays 46.