What is the weather like in Wellington in January?

Expect temperatures between 15°C and 19°C with 18% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Wellington in January?

Wellington in January scores 64/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Good option with minor considerations.

Who should visit Wellington in January?

January in Wellington is ideal for: Outdoor enthusiasts, Cultural tourists, Honeymoon couples, Business travelers, Adventure seekers.

Wellington Weather in January | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

19°C

Hottest around day 30

Avg Low

15°C

Coolest around day 6

Rainy Days

0days

18% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Winter season

Sea Temperature in January

Coastal Waters(Ocean)

17.6°C

Monthly Average

Water Feel

💧Refreshing

Consider a wetsuit for extended swimming

Swim Rating

🏄Cool, wetsuits recommended

Based on average sea surface temperature

Body of Water

Coastal Waters

Ocean

Wellington coastline

Essential Travel Info for Wellington

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

Currency

NZD

$ New Zealand dollar

Language

English

+2 more

Driving

Left side

Safety

Very High Safety

GPI: 1.269

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Wellington

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

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Add your home location in settings to see airport details.

Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Moderate

41/ 100

Traffic Index

Balanced traffic

Peak Daily Arrivals

slots per day

Peak

Aug

Low

Nov

Monthly Traffic Distribution

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

114

Aug

100

Sep

Oct

Nov

100

Dec

Traffic Level

Low Season

Key Connections

Christchurch (CHC)

Auckland (AKL)

Nelson (NSN)

Blenheim Woodbourne (BHE)

Hamilton (HLZ)

Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

6 Recommendations

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.

Hepatitis A

Consider hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers. It is recommended for travelers who will be doing higher risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where a traveler might get infected through food or water. It is recommended for travelers who plan on eating street food.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to New Zealand. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to New Zealand.

Measles

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.

Rabies

Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in New Zealand.If rabies exposures occur while in New Zealand, rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities.Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.For more information, seecountry rabies status assessments.

Yellow Fever

CDC recommendations:Vaccine isnotrecommended.Country entry requirements:Vaccine isnotrequired.Updated April 23, 2025

Source: CDC Travelers' Health

View Complete Health Guide

Is January a Good Time to Visit Wellington?

👌Good option with minor considerations(64/100)

Short Answer

Ideal January conditions in Wellington: 19°C comfortable highs, just 18% chance of rain. The 78% humidity feels pleasant, making this prime sightseeing season.

Decision Factors

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Seismically active region

44 earthquakes recorded in this month (30-year data)

Rough sea conditions

1.62m average wave height - Fun Waves

Health precautions needed

Be aware of: Leptospirosis, Hantavirus, Tuberculosis (TB)

Plenty of sunshine

11.6h of sunshine daily

Shoulder season - balanced conditions

81% of peak - good value with moderate crowds

Good For

🥾
Outdoor enthusiasts
Ideal hiking conditions: 18.8°C, 18% rain chance
🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💑
Honeymoon couples
Wedding score 88/100 with romantic weather conditions
💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather
🎯
Adventure seekers
1.62m waves - good for surfing and water sports

Who Should Avoid

🏖️
Beach lovers
Sea temperature only 17.6°C - too cold for comfortable swimming
👴
Elderly travelers
78% humidity creates difficult conditions

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Wellington in January averages 19°C with 18% precipitation probability."

📊 Source: 30YearWeather.com🛰️ Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)View Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: Wellington in January

What are the temperatures in Wellington in January?

Daytime highs average 19°C, nights drop to 15°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Wellington in January?

Expect around 0 days with measurable rainfall. Rain is unlikely to disrupt plans.

What to wear in Wellington in January?

Layers are key. A medium-weight jacket and closed-toe shoes.

Is January peak season in Wellington?

This is typically peak season with higher prices. Book 2-3 months ahead.

Wellington Weather in January

Sea Temperature in January

Wellington January Weather Calendar

Essential Travel Info for Wellington

Travel Intelligence

Smart Flight Estimator

Flight Connectivity Analysis

Monthly Traffic Distribution

Key Connections

Health & Safety Advisory

COVID-19

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Measles

Rabies

Yellow Fever

Is January a Good Time to Visit Wellington?

Decision Factors

Good For

Who Should Avoid

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions: Wellington in January

What are the temperatures in Wellington in January?

How many rainy days in Wellington in January?

What to wear in Wellington in January?

Is January peak season in Wellington?