AI-generatedWhanganui at a glance
- Best time
- Feb
- Warmest month
- Feb · 23°
- Warmest sea
- Feb · 18.9°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,140 h
- Rain a year
- 1,032 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+13 / UTC+12
- Elevation
- 18 m
Climate in Whanganui
Whanganui 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 2,140 hours of sunshine a year, Whanganui is moderately sunny; January is the sunniest month with 7.8 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Whanganui
The best time to visit Whanganui is in February. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in February it only reaches 18.9 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from January to May and in November. Rain is frequent from June to October and in December; the wettest month is October with 104 mm.
Whanganui through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Whanganui in spring
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 16–19 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 6.2 h of sun a day
- 39 rainy days in all
Whanganui in summer
Dec – Feb
Fair
- 21–23 °C by day
- Sea 18 °C
- 7.6 h of sun a day
- 29 rainy days in all
Whanganui in autumn
Mar – May
Poor
- 17–22 °C by day
- Sea 17 °C
- 5.5 h of sun a day
- 31 rainy days in all
Whanganui in winter
Jun – Aug
Poor
- 14 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 4.2 h of sun a day
- 39 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Jan – May, Nov
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Jun – Oct, Dec
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Whanganui 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: February
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 11°
- Midday, 13:00: about 16°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 17°
- Evening, 20:00: about 14°
- Night, 23:00: about 12°
06:3319:38
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 06:16–07:09 · evening 19:02–19:55
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:05–06:16 · evening 19:55–20:05
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 Whanganui 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 14° to 15°. The days get 1.2 h longer.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 16° | 18° |
| Night-time low | 9° | 10° |
| Sea | 14° | 15° |
| Daylight | 12.5 h | 13.7 h |
What is the weather like in Whanganui in October?
In October, Whanganui is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 14.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 104 mm. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Whanganui.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 13 h 4 min06:33 – 19:38
- UV index
- 7 · highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 28 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 61 %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 %50 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %29 %
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 Whanganui
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 Whanganui: score 60 against 16. In February, days are 6 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 5 °C warmer in February. February has 6 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in February.
| Month | October | February |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 16 | 60better |
| Daytime high | 17° | 23° |
| Night-time low | 9° | 14° |
| Sea | 14.1° | 18.9° |
| Sunshine | 6.0 h | 7.8 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 14 | 8better |
| Rainfall | 104 mm | 66 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 0better | 1 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Whanganui month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
52January22° · Sea 18° · 7.8 h
In January, Whanganui is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 18.0 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7.8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 69 mm. All in all, January is a so-so month for a holiday in Whanganui.
Whanganui in January60February23° · Sea 19° · 7.8 h
In February, Whanganui is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 18.9 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7.8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 66 mm. All in all, February is a good month for a holiday in Whanganui.
Whanganui in February45March22° · Sea 18° · 6.7 h
In March, Whanganui is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 18.3 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 6.7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 65 mm. All in all, March is a so-so month for a holiday in Whanganui.
Whanganui in March20April19° · Sea 17° · 5.4 h
In April, Whanganui is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 17.4 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 85 mm in total. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Whanganui.
Whanganui in April14May17° · Sea 16° · 4.4 h
In May, Whanganui is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 16.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 87 mm in total. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Whanganui.
Whanganui in May10June14° · Sea 14° · 3.7 h
In June, Whanganui is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 14.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 95 mm in total. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Whanganui.
Whanganui in June11July14° · Sea 13° · 4.1 h
In July, Whanganui is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 13.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.1 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 97 mm in total. All in all, July is not an ideal month for a holiday in Whanganui.
Whanganui in July13August14° · Sea 13° · 4.9 h
In August, Whanganui is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 12.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 96 mm in total. All in all, August is not an ideal month for a holiday in Whanganui.
Whanganui in August16September16° · Sea 13° · 5.6 h
In September, Whanganui is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 13.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 89 mm in total. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Whanganui.
Whanganui in September16October17° · Sea 14° · 6.0 h
In October, Whanganui is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 14.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 104 mm. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Whanganui.
Whanganui in October22November19° · Sea 15° · 6.9 h
In November, Whanganui is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 15.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 79 mm in total. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Whanganui.
Whanganui in November32December21° · Sea 17° · 7.2 h
In December, Whanganui is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 16.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 101 mm in total. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Whanganui.
Whanganui in DecemberClimate in detail
Year & climate table
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Whanganui
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 | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 52 | 22° | 14° | 18.0° | 7.8 h | 9 | 69 |
| FebruaryFeb | 60 | 23° | 14° | 18.9° | 7.8 h | 8 | 66 |
| MarchMar | 45 | 22° | 13° | 18.3° | 6.7 h | 9 | 65 |
| AprilApr | 20 | 19° | 11° | 17.4° | 5.4 h | 11 | 85 |
| MayMay | 14 | 17° | 9° | 16.1° | 4.4 h | 12 | 87 |
| JuneJun | 10 | 14° | 7° | 14.4° | 3.7 h | 13 | 95 |
| JulyJul | 11 | 14° | 6° | 13.3° | 4.1 h | 13 | 97 |
| AugustAug | 13 | 14° | 6° | 12.9° | 4.9 h | 13 | 96 |
| SeptemberSep | 16 | 16° | 8° | 13.3° | 5.6 h | 13 | 89 |
| OctoberOct | 16 | 17° | 9° | 14.1° | 6.0 h | 14 | 104 |
| NovemberNov | 22 | 19° | 11° | 15.3° | 6.9 h | 12 | 79 |
| DecemberDec | 32 | 21° | 13° | 16.9° | 7.2 h | 13 | 101 |
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
39.93° S, 175.05° E · 18 m · Pacific/Auckland
Sea temperature
Sea temperature in Whanganui
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 13.5 – 14.6 °C
Swimming season: Always below 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Whanganui ranges from 12.9 °C in August to 18.9 °C in February. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
In June 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 17.9 and 20.3 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 18.0° | 16.7° | 19.7° | fresh |
| FebruaryFeb | 18.9° | 17.9° | 20.3° | fresh |
| MarchMar | 18.3° | 17.3° | 19.5° | fresh |
| AprilApr | 17.4° | 16.5° | 18.4° | fresh |
| MayMay | 16.1° | 15.4° | 16.9° | cold |
| JuneJun | 14.4° | 13.9° | 15.3° | cold |
| JulyJul | 13.3° | 12.4° | 14.1° | cold |
| AugustAug | 12.9° | 12.4° | 13.6° | cold |
| SeptemberSep | 13.3° | 12.9° | 13.8° | cold |
| OctoberOct | 14.1° | 13.5° | 14.6° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 15.3° | 14.3° | 16.4° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 16.9° | 15.6° | 18.6° | cold |
Sunshine
Sunshine hours in Whanganui
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 6.0 of 13.1 hours of daylight in Whanganui, 46 % of the daylight hours.
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.
Rain
Rain in Whanganui: 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, Whanganui has about 14 rainy days with 104 mm of rain in total.
UV index
UV index in Whanganui
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 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 & clouds
Wind and clouds in Whanganui
How breezy and how cloudy Whanganui 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 Whanganui typically peaks at 28 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, and here it is that strong all year.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 61 % of the sky over Whanganui: variable cloud, with about 6.0 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 Whanganui
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Whanganui 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.
Whanganui has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 42) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 12).
- 28
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 20 °C by day
- Sea 18 °C
- 5.8 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 13
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 16 °C by day
- Sea 16 °C
- 4.3 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 12
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Poor
- 14 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 4.6 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 16
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 17 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 6.0 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 42
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
FairBest holidays
- 22 °C by day
- Sea 17 °C
- 7.5 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
- Distance
- 18,690 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.
Good to know: New Zealand
- Currency
- New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
- Languages
- English, Māori
- Sockets
- Type I · 230 V
- Traffic
- Drives on the left
- Dialling code
- +64
- Emergency number
- 111
UK plugs need a travel adapter
Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.
Compare & alternatives
Compare with another place
Whanganui compared
Put Whanganui side by side with another destination.
Whanganui vs Palmerston North
In October the holiday weather in Whanganui and Palmerston North is about equally good (score 16 vs 16). During the day it is about as warm in Palmerston North as in Whanganui.
| in October | Whanganui | Palmerston North |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 16 | 16 |
| Daytime high | 17° | 17° |
| Sea | 14° | no sea nearby |
| Sunshine | 6 h | 6 h |
| Rainy days | 14 | 14 |
| Best time | Feb | Nov – Apr |
Through the year
Best places in the country
New Zealand in October: the best places
In October, Whanganui ranks 24 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Hastings19°82
- 2Blenheim18°74
- 3Tauranga18°16°74
- 4Auckland18°16°71
- 5Masterton17°69
- 6Cambridge18°69
- 7Matamata18°69
- 8Rotorua18°68
- 24WhanganuiThis page17°14°16
Places nearby
Near Whanganui
Other destinations close by.
Places with a similar climate
Places with a climate like Whanganui
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Whanganui's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Whanganui
When is the best time to visit Whanganui?
The best time to visit Whanganui is in February. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Whanganui?
The sea temperature in Whanganui ranges from 12.9 °C in August to 18.9 °C in February. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Whanganui 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 Whanganui?
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 Whanganui?
Rain is frequent from June to October and in December; the wettest month is October with 104 mm. The driest month is March with 65 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Whanganui get?
Whanganui gets around 2,140 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is January with 7.8 hours a day; in June there are 3.7 hours a day.
What time zone is Whanganui in?
Whanganui is on UTC+13 in January and UTC+12 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Whanganui?
A nonstop flight from London to Whanganui takes about 23 h, for a straight-line distance of about 18,690 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Which school holidays are best for Whanganui?
Whanganui has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 42) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 12). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 28, May half-term 13, summer holidays 12, October half-term 16, Christmas holidays 42.