AI-generatedNelson at a glance
- Best time
- Jan – Feb
- Warmest month
- Jan · 21°
- Warmest sea
- Feb · 19.8°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,260 h
- Rain a year
- 1,354 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+13 / UTC+12
- Elevation
- 11 m
Climate in Nelson
Nelson has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. January is the warmest month with average highs of 21 °C, while July is the coolest at 11 °C. With around 2,260 hours of sunshine a year, Nelson is sunny; January is the sunniest month with 7.9 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Poor
Best time to visit: January – February
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 10°
- Midday, 13:00: about 15°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 15°
- Evening, 20:00: about 13°
- Night, 23:00: about 11°
06:3919:46
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 06:22–07:16 · evening 19:09–20:03
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:10–06:22 · evening 20:03–20:14
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.
What is the weather like in Nelson in October?
In October, Nelson is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 14.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 139 mm in total. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Nelson.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 13 h 7 min06:39 – 19:46
- UV index
- 7 · highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 18 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 59 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Time zone
- UTC+13Pacific/Auckland
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %0 %
- Seaweight 25 %0 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %60 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %31 %
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
Sea temperature in Nelson
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 13.6 – 14.8 °C
Swimming season: Never above 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Nelson ranges from 11.9 °C in August to 19.8 °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. From April to August the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in February, eight out of ten years were between 18.8 and 20.9 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 19.1° | 18.0° | 20.5° | fresh |
| FebruaryFeb | 19.8° | 18.8° | 20.9° | fresh |
| MarchMar | 18.9° | 17.8° | 19.8° | fresh |
| AprilApr | 17.3° | 16.6° | 18.0° | fresh |
| MayMay | 15.6° | 15.0° | 16.3° | cold |
| JuneJun | 13.8° | 13.3° | 14.4° | cold |
| JulyJul | 12.4° | 11.9° | 12.9° | cold |
| AugustAug | 11.9° | 11.4° | 12.4° | cold |
| SeptemberSep | 12.7° | 12.2° | 13.3° | cold |
| OctoberOct | 14.1° | 13.6° | 14.8° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 16.0° | 15.2° | 16.8° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 17.8° | 16.5° | 18.9° | fresh |
Sunshine hours in Nelson
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 13.1 hours of daylight in Nelson, 50 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Nelson
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 7 · highSeek shade around midday; sunscreen SPF 30+, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in December (UV 10).
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 it, 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.
Rain in Nelson: 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, Nelson has about 14 rainy days with 139 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Nelson
How breezy and how cloudy Nelson 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 Nelson typically peaks at 18 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, light breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
The daily breeze rarely reaches Beaufort 4 (20 km/h), so wind sports depend on single windy days.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 59 % of the sky over Nelson: 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.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Nelson
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°
CoolOctober: nights around 8°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in July (5°), the warmest in February (14°). Nights fall below 8 °C on average from June to September, 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 | 47 | 21° | 13° | 19.1° | 7.9 h | 10 | 93 |
| FebruaryFeb | 52 | 21° | 14° | 19.8° | 7.9 h | 8 | 80 |
| MarchMar | 35 | 19° | 12° | 18.9° | 7.1 h | 8 | 88 |
| AprilApr | 22 | 16° | 10° | 17.3° | 5.6 h | 10 | 118 |
| MayMay | 17 | 14° | 8° | 15.6° | 4.7 h | 10 | 119 |
| JuneJun | 14 | 12° | 6° | 13.8° | 3.9 h | 10 | 127 |
| JulyJul | 17 | 11° | 5° | 12.4° | 4.4 h | 10 | 120 |
| AugustAug | 17 | 12° | 5° | 11.9° | 5.2 h | 11 | 117 |
| SeptemberSep | 18 | 14° | 7° | 12.7° | 5.9 h | 12 | 114 |
| OctoberOct | 18 | 15° | 8° | 14.1° | 6.6 h | 14 | 139 |
| NovemberNov | 23 | 17° | 10° | 16.0° | 7.4 h | 12 | 110 |
| DecemberDec | 28 | 19° | 12° | 17.8° | 7.6 h | 13 | 129 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, 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
41.27° S, 173.28° E · 11 m · Pacific/Auckland
Best time to visit Nelson
The best time to visit Nelson is from January to February. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in February it only reaches 19.8 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from January to April. Rain is most frequent from September to December; the wettest month is October with 139 mm.
Nelson through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Nelson in spring
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 14–17 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 7 h of sun a day
- 38 rainy days in all
Nelson in summer
Dec – Feb
Fair
- 19–21 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 8 h of sun a day
- 30 rainy days in all
Nelson in autumn
Mar – May
Poor
- 14–19 °C by day
- Sea 17 °C
- 6 h of sun a day
- 28 rainy days in all
Nelson in winter
Jun – Aug
Poor
- 11–12 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 5 h of sun a day
- 31 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Nelson for you.
Your best months: January – February
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Nelson
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
February has the better holiday weather in Nelson: score 52 against 18. In February, days are 6 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 6 °C warmer in February. February has 6 fewer rainy days. The sun shines an hour longer a day in February.
| Month | October | February |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 18 | 52better |
| Day high | 15° | 21° |
| Night low | 8° | 14° |
| Sea | 14.1° | 19.8° |
| Sunshine | 6.6 h | 7.9 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 14 | 8better |
| Rainfall | 139 mm | 80 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 0better | 1 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Jan – Apr
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Sep – Dec
12 or more rainy days
Nelson month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
47January21° · Sea 19° · 8 h
In January, Nelson is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 19.1 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 93 mm in total. All in all, January is a so-so month for a holiday in Nelson.
Nelson in January52February21° · Sea 20° · 8 h
In February, Nelson is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 19.8 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 80 mm. All in all, February is a so-so month for a holiday in Nelson.
Nelson in February35March19° · Sea 19° · 7 h
In March, Nelson is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 18.9 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 88 mm. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Nelson.
Nelson in March22April16° · Sea 17° · 6 h
In April, Nelson is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 17.3 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 118 mm in total. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Nelson.
Nelson in April17May14° · Sea 16° · 5 h
In May, Nelson is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 15.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 119 mm in total. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Nelson.
Nelson in May14June12° · Sea 14° · 4 h
In June, Nelson is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 13.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 127 mm in total. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Nelson.
Nelson in June17July11° · Sea 12° · 4 h
In July, Nelson is cool: daytime highs average 11 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sea averages 12.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 120 mm in total. All in all, July is not an ideal month for a holiday in Nelson.
Nelson in July17August12° · Sea 12° · 5 h
In August, Nelson is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sea averages 11.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 117 mm in total. All in all, August is not an ideal month for a holiday in Nelson.
Nelson in August18September14° · Sea 13° · 6 h
In September, Nelson is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 12.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 114 mm in total. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Nelson.
Nelson in September18October15° · Sea 14° · 7 h
In October, Nelson is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 14.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 139 mm in total. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Nelson.
Nelson in October23November17° · Sea 16° · 7 h
In November, Nelson is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 16.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 110 mm in total. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Nelson.
Nelson in November28December19° · Sea 18° · 8 h
In December, Nelson is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 17.8 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 129 mm in total. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Nelson.
Nelson in DecemberNelson compared
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Nelson vs. Wellington
In October the holiday weather in Nelson and Wellington is about equally good (score 18 vs. 19). During the day Wellington is 1 °C cooler than Nelson. The sea in Wellington is 1 °C cooler. Wellington gets one hour less sunshine a day.
| in October | Nelson | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 18 | 19 |
| Daytime high | 15° | 14° |
| Sea | 14° | 13° |
| Sunshine | 7 h | 6 h |
| Rainy days | 14 | 12 |
| Best time | Jan – Feb | Jan – Mar |
Through the year
New Zealand in October: the best places
In October, Nelson ranks 7 of 9 destinations in this country.
- Tauranga17°16°68
- 2Auckland17°16°66
- 3Christchurch15°63
- 4Wellington14°13°51
- 5Queenstown11°40
- 6Whangārei17°16°20
- 7NelsonThis page15°14°18
- 8Dunedin13°11°14
Planning a trip to Nelson
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Nelson 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.
Nelson has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 38) and its weakest during May half-term (score 16).
- 26
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 17 °C by day
- Sea 18 °C
- 6.0 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 16
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 13 °C by day
- Sea 15 °C
- 4.5 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
- 17
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Poor
- 11 °C by day
- Sea 12 °C
- 4.9 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
- 18
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 15 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 6.6 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 38
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
PoorBest holidays
- 20 °C by day
- Sea 18 °C
- 7.8 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 23 h 10 min
- Distance
- 18,780 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.
Frequently asked questions about Nelson
When is the best time to visit Nelson?
The best time to visit Nelson 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 Nelson?
The sea temperature in Nelson ranges from 11.9 °C in August to 19.8 °C in February. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Nelson in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 14.1 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Nelson?
January is the warmest month, with average highs of 21 °C and nights around 13 °C. July is the coolest month at 11 °C.
When does it rain most in Nelson?
Rain is most frequent from September to December; the wettest month is October with 139 mm. The driest month is February with 80 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Nelson get?
Nelson gets around 2,260 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is January with 7.9 hours a day; in June there are 3.9 hours a day.
What time zone is Nelson in?
Nelson uses the time zone Pacific/Auckland: UTC+13 in January and UTC+12 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Nelson?
A nonstop flight from London to Nelson takes about 23 h 10 min, for a straight-line distance of about 18,780 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Which school holidays are best for Nelson?
Nelson has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 38) and its weakest during May half-term (score 16). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 26, May half-term 16, Summer holidays 17, October half-term 18, Christmas holidays 38.
Near Nelson
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Nelson
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Nelson's – good alternatives.