AI-generatedNew Plymouth at a glance
- Best time
- Nov – Apr
- Warmest month
- Feb · 23°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,320 h
- Rain a year
- 1,745 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+13 / UTC+12
- Elevation
- 64 m
Climate in New Plymouth
New Plymouth has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. February is the warmest month with average highs of 23 °C, while July is the coolest at 14 °C. With around 2,320 hours of sunshine a year, New Plymouth is sunny; January is the sunniest month with 8.4 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit New Plymouth
The best time to visit New Plymouth is from November to April. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from January to February. Rain is frequent from May to October; the wettest month is July with 181 mm.
New Plymouth through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
New Plymouth in spring
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 15–18 °C by day
- 6.6 h of sun a day
- 50 rainy days in all
New Plymouth in summer
Dec – Feb
Good
- 20–23 °C by day
- 8.0 h of sun a day
- 39 rainy days in all
New Plymouth in autumn
Mar – May
Good
- 17–21 °C by day
- 6.0 h of sun a day
- 41 rainy days in all
New Plymouth in winter
Jun – Aug
Poor
- 14 °C by day
- 4.8 h of sun a day
- 49 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Jan – Feb
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
May – Oct
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in New Plymouth for you.
Your best months: January – March
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Fair
Best time to visit: November – April
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 11°
- Midday, 13:00: about 16°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 16°
- Evening, 20:00: about 13°
- Night, 23:00: about 12°
06:3819:41
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 06:21–07:14 · evening 19:05–19:57
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:11–06:21 · evening 19:57–20:08
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 New Plymouth 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 17° at the end. The days get 1.2 h longer.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 16° | 17° |
| Night-time low | 9° | 10° |
| Daylight | 12.5 h | 13.7 h |
What is the weather like in New Plymouth in October?
In October, New Plymouth is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sun shines for around 6.5 hours a day. It rains often – on about 18 days, adding up to 168 mm. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in New Plymouth.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 13 h 3 min06:38 – 19:41
- UV index
- 8 · very 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
- 69 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Time zone
- UTC+13offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %83 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %58 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %0 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Compare two months in New Plymouth
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 New Plymouth: score 83 against 53. In February, days are 7 °C warmer than in October. February has 7 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in February.
| Month | October | February |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 53 | 83better |
| Daytime high | 16° | 23° |
| Night-time low | 9° | 14° |
| Sunshine | 6.5 h | 8.3 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 18 | 11better |
| Rainfall | 168 mm | 102 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 0better | 2 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
New Plymouth month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
81January22° · 8.4 h
In January, New Plymouth is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sun shines for around 8.4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 105 mm in total. All in all, January is an excellent month for a holiday in New Plymouth.
New Plymouth in January83February23° · 8.3 h
In February, New Plymouth is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sun shines for around 8.3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 102 mm in total. All in all, February is an excellent month for a holiday in New Plymouth.
New Plymouth in February77March21° · 7.3 h
In March, New Plymouth is warm: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sun shines for around 7.3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 102 mm in total. All in all, March is a good month for a holiday in New Plymouth.
New Plymouth in March69April19° · 6.0 h
In April, New Plymouth is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. Expect around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 141 mm in total. All in all, April is a good month for a holiday in New Plymouth.
New Plymouth in April56May17° · 4.8 h
In May, New Plymouth is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. Expect around 4.8 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 160 mm. All in all, May is a so-so month for a holiday in New Plymouth.
New Plymouth in May42June14° · 4.2 h
In June, New Plymouth is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. Expect around 4.2 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 163 mm. All in all, June is a so-so month for a holiday in New Plymouth.
New Plymouth in June35July14° · 4.6 h
In July, New Plymouth is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. Expect around 4.6 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 17 days, adding up to 181 mm. All in all, July is not an ideal month for a holiday in New Plymouth.
New Plymouth in July40August14° · 5.5 h
In August, New Plymouth is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. Expect around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 17 days, adding up to 168 mm. All in all, August is a so-so month for a holiday in New Plymouth.
New Plymouth in August47September15° · 5.7 h
In September, New Plymouth is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. Expect around 5.7 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 17 days, adding up to 166 mm. All in all, September is a so-so month for a holiday in New Plymouth.
New Plymouth in September53October16° · 6.5 h
In October, New Plymouth is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sun shines for around 6.5 hours a day. It rains often – on about 18 days, adding up to 168 mm. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in New Plymouth.
New Plymouth in October70November18° · 7.5 h
In November, New Plymouth is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sun shines for around 7.5 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 135 mm. All in all, November is a good month for a holiday in New Plymouth.
New Plymouth in November69December20° · 7.4 h
In December, New Plymouth is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sun shines for around 7.4 hours a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 156 mm. All in all, December is a good month for a holiday in New Plymouth.
New Plymouth in DecemberClimate in detail
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in New Plymouth
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 9°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in July (6°), the warmest in February (14°). Nights fall below 8 °C on average from June to August, 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 | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 81 | 22° | 13° | 8.4 h | 12 | 105 |
| FebruaryFeb | 83 | 23° | 14° | 8.3 h | 11 | 102 |
| MarchMar | 77 | 21° | 12° | 7.3 h | 12 | 102 |
| AprilApr | 69 | 19° | 11° | 6.0 h | 14 | 141 |
| MayMay | 56 | 17° | 9° | 4.8 h | 15 | 160 |
| JuneJun | 42 | 14° | 7° | 4.2 h | 15 | 163 |
| JulyJul | 35 | 14° | 6° | 4.6 h | 17 | 181 |
| AugustAug | 40 | 14° | 7° | 5.5 h | 17 | 168 |
| SeptemberSep | 47 | 15° | 8° | 5.7 h | 17 | 166 |
| OctoberOct | 53 | 16° | 9° | 6.5 h | 18 | 168 |
| NovemberNov | 70 | 18° | 10° | 7.5 h | 15 | 135 |
| DecemberDec | 69 | 20° | 13° | 7.4 h | 16 | 156 |
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
39.07° S, 174.08° E · 64 m · Pacific/Auckland
Sunshine hours in New Plymouth
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 6.5 of 13.0 hours of daylight in New Plymouth, 50 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 11 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain in New Plymouth: 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, New Plymouth has about 18 rainy days with 168 mm of rain in total.
UV index in New Plymouth
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 8 · very highStay in the shade around midday; SPF 50, clothing, 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 20 min
- Light brown skin
- about 30 min
- Olive skin
- about 40 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 New Plymouth
How breezy and how cloudy New Plymouth 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 New Plymouth typically peaks at 23 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 69 % of the sky over New Plymouth: mostly cloudy, with about 6.5 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 New Plymouth
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
New Plymouth 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.
New Plymouth has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 75) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 38).
- 71
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Good
- 20 °C by day
- 6.4 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
- 53
May half-term
May – Jun
Fair
- 16 °C by day
- 4.7 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 38
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Poor
- 14 °C by day
- 5.2 h of sun a day
- 17 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 53
October half-term
Oct
Fair
- 16 °C by day
- 6.5 h of sun a day
- 18 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 75
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
GoodBest holidays
- 21 °C by day
- 7.9 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 22 h 55 min
- Distance
- 18,570 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
New Plymouth compared
Put New Plymouth side by side with another destination.
New Plymouth vs Whanganui
In October Whanganui has the better holiday weather (score 64 vs 53). During the day Whanganui is 1 °C warmer than New Plymouth. Whanganui gets one hour less sunshine a day.
| in October | New Plymouth | Whanganui |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 53 | 64 |
| Daytime high | 16° | 17° |
| Sea | no sea nearby | 14° |
| Sunshine | 7 h | 6 h |
| Rainy days | 18 | 14 |
| Best time | Nov – Apr | Feb |
Through the year
New Zealand in October: the best places
In October, New Plymouth ranks 12 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Hastings19°83
- 2Blenheim18°74
- 3Tauranga18°16°73
- 4Christchurch17°73
- 5Auckland18°16°72
- 6Matamata18°69
- 7Hamilton18°67
- 8Rotorua17°65
- 12New PlymouthThis page16°53
Near New Plymouth
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like New Plymouth
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to New Plymouth's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about New Plymouth
When is the best time to visit New Plymouth?
The best time to visit New Plymouth is from November to April. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in New Plymouth?
February is the warmest month, with average highs of 23 °C and nights around 14 °C. July is the coolest month at 14 °C.
When does it rain most in New Plymouth?
Rain is frequent from May to October; the wettest month is July with 181 mm. The driest month is February with 102 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does New Plymouth get?
New Plymouth gets around 2,320 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is January with 8.4 hours a day; in June there are 4.2 hours a day.
What time zone is New Plymouth in?
New Plymouth is on UTC+13 in January and UTC+12 in July.
How long is the flight from London to New Plymouth?
A nonstop flight from London to New Plymouth takes about 22 h 55 min, for a straight-line distance of about 18,570 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Which school holidays are best for New Plymouth?
New Plymouth has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 75) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 38). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 71, May half-term 53, summer holidays 38, October half-term 53, Christmas holidays 75.