Fall in Wellington brings cool breezes, steady rain, and bursts of sunshine. The season feels unpredictable, but that’s part of its charm.
You can expect mild daytime temperatures, usually in the upper 50s to mid-60s Fahrenheit (14–19°C). Nights get cooler, dropping closer to 50°F (10°C). This mix of crisp air and gentle warmth makes the season feel refreshing, not harsh.
You’ll see that fall weather here doesn’t stick to a simple pattern. Some days show off clear skies and calm air, but others hit you with strong winds and passing showers.
Wellington’s coastal spot means weather can change fast. If you bring a light jacket and rain gear, you’ll stay comfortable outside.
As fall moves along, daylight stretches a bit longer, and you get more chances to explore the city’s harbors, hills, and trails. The mix of changing skies, steady breezes, and moderate temps gives Wellington its unique fall rhythm.
Overview of Fall Weather in Wellington
Fall in Wellington brings cooler temperatures and shorter days. Rainfall rises gradually, and you’ll see more clouds and feel stronger winds as the season goes on.
Sea temperature drops, and the sunlight gets weaker too.
Typical Fall Temperature Range
During fall, Wellington’s daily highs drop from about 67°F (19°C) in early March to around 56°F (13°C) by late May. Lows cool from 58°F (14°C) to about 48°F (9°C).
You almost never see highs above 72°F (22°C) or lows below 42°F (6°C). Expect mild afternoons early on, but cooler evenings become the norm by late fall.
The ocean cools steadily, going from about 62°F (17°C) down to 57°F (14°C). Swimming gets less appealing by late May.
Even though the air cools off, humidity stays low, so fall doesn’t get muggy.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
Cloud cover creeps up a bit, with overcast or mostly cloudy skies about 35–40% of the time. The clearest days usually show up in early March, while late fall turns grayer.
Rainfall increases as the season goes. The chance of a wet day rises from 20% in March to 29% in May.
Average monthly rainfall starts at about 2.0 inches (51 mm) and climbs to nearly 2.8 inches (71 mm) by late fall.
Daylight drops quickly. In March, you get over 13 hours of daylight, but by late May it’s just over 9 hours.
Wind sticks around all season, averaging 12–14 mph. The strongest gusts usually blow in from the north.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Compared to summer, fall feels cooler and less sunny. Summer highs average around 68°F (20°C), but fall hovers in the upper 50s.
You lose several hours of daylight, which cuts down on outdoor time.
Winter brings colder, wetter days. By July, highs sit near 53°F (12°C), and rain shows up more often.
Spring is a bit like fall, with temperatures in October ranging from about 58°F (14°C) to 60°F (16°C). Spring feels fresher, with more sun and a bit less rain.
So, fall sits between summer’s warmth and winter’s chill, shaped by steady winds and moderate rain.
Temperature Trends Throughout Fall
Wellington’s fall brings cooler days and shorter daylight hours. You’ll notice steady changes from early March to late May.
These shifts affect how warm afternoons feel and how chilly evenings get.
Average Highs and Lows by Month
In March, you’ll see average highs around 20°C (68°F) and nighttime lows near 14°C (57°F). The weather feels mild, and evenings don’t usually need heavy layers.
April cools further, with highs averaging 16°C (61°F) and lows near 11°C (52°F). Mornings and evenings start to feel noticeably chillier.
May is the coldest fall month. Highs reach only about 13°C (55°F), and lows settle near 9°C (48°F).
At this point, you’ll want warmer clothes, especially as the wind picks up. The steady drop across these three months really shows how fast Wellington heads toward winter.
Hourly Temperature Variation
Temperatures in Wellington shift gently during the day, but the coast keeps extremes away. Early mornings are coolest, just above 9–11°C (48–52°F) by May.
Afternoons bring the warmest weather, with average highs between 13–20°C (55–68°F), depending on the month.
The rise from morning to afternoon isn’t dramatic—usually just a 5–7°C difference.
Evenings cool off fast after sunset. By late May, overnight temps often drop to single digits.
This daily rhythm stays pretty consistent, making it easier to plan outdoor activities.
Temperature Changes from March to May
From March to May, Wellington’s average high drops about 7°C (13°F), and average lows fall about 5°C (9°F).
That might not sound huge, but you’ll feel the difference between early March warmth and late May chill.
You also get less daylight as fall moves on. By late May, shorter days and cooler temps make evenings feel colder and mornings slow to warm.
As winds get stronger and rain shows up more often, you can really sense winter coming. If you’re traveling, bring layers and plan for cooler nights as the season goes.
Precipitation and Rainfall Patterns
Wellington gets steady rainfall all year, but fall brings some changes in both how much rain falls and how often you get wet days.
Showers are common, but they’re usually moderate, not heavy.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
In fall, monthly rainfall in Wellington usually ranges between 80 mm and 100 mm. That’s a bit higher than summer, but still lower than winter’s peak.
March often sees around 80–90 mm, while April and May trend closer to 90–100 mm.
These numbers fit Wellington’s oceanic climate, where rain spreads out pretty evenly and long dry spells are rare.
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| March | 80–90 |
| April | 85–95 |
| May | 90–100 |
You’ll see a mix of light showers and steady rain, not many heavy downpours. Rain totals can change with the wind—Wellington’s hills make some spots wetter than others.
Wet Day Probability
In fall, the chance of a wet day in Wellington stays moderate. On average, you’ve got a 25–30% chance of rain on any given day.
That works out to about one out of every three days bringing measurable rain.
Most rainy days bring about 8–10 mm of rain, usually in short showers instead of long, soaking periods.
This makes it possible to plan outdoor activities with some flexibility. Many showers pass quickly.
Still, it’s smart to carry a rain jacket or umbrella. Weather can change fast, and wind often makes rainy days feel cooler and more unsettled than the numbers suggest.
Seasonal Changes in Precipitation
Fall gradually gets wetter as winter approaches. Rainfall increases a bit from March to May, with May often feeling the dampest.
Stronger westerly winds and cooler air crossing the Cook Strait bring more showers, especially when moist air rises over the city’s hills.
You won’t see long dry spells like in summer. Instead, fall brings a steady rhythm of clear skies and showers—pretty typical for Wellington’s coast.
Humidity and Cloud Cover
Wellington’s fall weather feels mostly comfortable when it comes to humidity. As the season goes on, cloud cover becomes more common.
These two factors really shape how the city feels, even when the temps stay mild.
Average Humidity Levels
Humidity in Wellington during fall stays steady and low compared to many coastal cities. Muggy or oppressive conditions almost never happen—chances are near 0% all season.
Even though Wellington sits on the coast, cooler air and steady winds keep moisture from building up.
Relative humidity readings usually range between 70% and 80%, but this doesn’t mean it feels uncomfortable.
Dew points stay moderate, so your body can cool itself just fine.
You might notice mornings feel a bit damp, especially after rain, but afternoons are generally more comfortable.
This makes outdoor activities like walking the waterfront or hiking hills manageable, without that sticky feeling you get in tropical places.
So, while the air holds some moisture, it rarely creates the heavy, humid conditions that travelers dread in warmer regions.
Cloud Cover Trends During Fall
Cloud cover in Wellington increases as fall moves forward. Early in the season, skies are clearer, with about 35% of days overcast or mostly cloudy.
By the end of fall, that rises to around 40%.
The clearest stretch usually comes in early March, when skies are often partly sunny.
By May, you’re more likely to see gray skies, especially in the afternoons.
This gradual change can really affect the feel of the day. Even if temperatures stay mild, thicker clouds can make the air seem cooler and cut down sunlight.
If you want to plan outdoor activities, it’s better to aim for earlier in the season for more sun. Later in fall, expect more overcast days and fewer long stretches of clear skies.
Wind Conditions in Fall
Wellington is famous for its windy weather, and fall doesn’t let up. Steady breezes shape daily life here.
Both wind direction and strength play a big role in how the season feels outside.
Prevailing Wind Directions
During fall, the dominant wind direction is from the north, with northerly winds blowing nearly half the time in early March.
These winds usually bring milder air, but they can change quickly with passing weather.
As fall goes on, you might notice winds shifting from the northwest or, occasionally, from the south. Southerly winds are less common but bring cooler, unsettled weather.
The city’s coastal spot and hilly terrain funnel and boost winds, especially around the harbor and on exposed ridges.
If you’re walking along the waterfront or up on higher ground, you’ll feel stronger gusts than in sheltered areas.
Wellington’s wind isn’t just background noise—it really shapes how comfortable it feels to be outside, even on mild days.
Average Wind Speeds
Wind speeds in fall are moderately strong and rise gradually as the season goes. Early on, average hourly speeds are around 12.7 mph (20 km/h), climbing to about 13.6 mph (22 km/h) by late May.
Those numbers might not sound wild, but gusts often go higher, especially on the coast.
On calmer days, speeds can drop to 12 mph, but Wellington rarely feels still.
Compared to other parts of New Zealand, Wellington almost always ranks among the windiest.
Expect breezes most days, with stronger bursts in exposed spots like Mount Victoria or the Cook Strait shore.
If you’re planning outdoor activities, remember the wind can make it feel cooler than the thermometer says.
Sunlight and Daylight Hours
During fall in Wellington, daylight hours slowly shrink, and you’ll see sunrise and sunset times move earlier. These shifts really impact how much time you get for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Daylight Duration Changes
At the start of fall, you get about 12.5 to 13 hours of daylight. By late fall, that drops to roughly 9.5 to 10 hours.
Daylight slips away a little bit each day, so it’s a steady change.
Mornings stay darker for longer, and evenings lose their light earlier. May stands out, since that’s when daylight gets shortest just before winter.
Here’s a quick look at average daylight hours:
| Month | Average Daylight |
|---|---|
| March | ~12.4 hours |
| April | ~11.0 hours |
| May | ~9.8 hours |
You’ll want to keep these changes in mind if you’re planning hikes, taking photos, or heading out for day trips. It’s worth adjusting your plans so you don’t miss the best light.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
Sunrise and sunset times shift quickly in fall. In March, the sun comes up around 7:00 AM and goes down close to 7:30 PM.
By May, sunrise happens later, about 7:30 AM, and sunset sneaks up much earlier, around 5:00 PM.
Evenings get shorter, so it’s smart to plan outdoor stuff for earlier in the day.
If you like morning outings, the later sunrise gives you a little extra time to get ready.
On average, Wellington gets about 45–55% of daylight hours with sunshine during fall. Clouds might dim things, but you’ll still have several good hours of usable light most days.
Tracking sunrise and sunset helps you time your travel. If you want those coastal views or a shot of the skyline in natural light, it really matters.
Travel and Weather at Wellington International Airport
Wellington International Airport sits right on a skinny stretch of land by the coast. That spot leaves it wide open to wind and fast-changing weather. Seasonal shifts in temperature, daylight, and rain can all affect your travel and even the way flights feel.
Airport Weather Impact
You’ll probably notice steady winds when you fly into or out of Wellington International Airport. The airport’s short runway, squeezed between hills and the sea, often stirs up turbulence during takeoff and landing.
Average wind speeds in fall hover around 12 to 14 mph, but gusts can get stronger.
Rain picks up as fall goes on. Early in the season, you’ll see about 2 inches of rain per month. By late fall, that climbs closer to 3 inches.
So, you’ll get more wet runways and occasional delays, though the airport usually keeps things moving.
Temperatures drop from highs near 67°F in March to about 56°F in May. Nights cool off into the upper 40s, but you won’t see much frost.
These mild, damp days can mess with ground visibility, especially for early morning flights.
Clouds roll in more often, and by late fall, skies stay mostly cloudy about 40% of the time.
Seasonal Travel Tips
When you travel through Wellington International Airport in the fall, expect the weather to change a lot. I’d suggest packing a light waterproof jacket and tossing an umbrella in your bag for outdoor moments.
Winds can get pretty wild, so hang on to your hat—literally. I always secure loose things like hats and those flimsy luggage covers, just in case.
Flight schedules usually stay on track, but give yourself some buffer time for weather-related delays, especially in April and May when the rain really picks up. If you can, try booking morning flights, since the winds often get stronger as the day goes on.
Connecting to regional flights? Smaller planes feel the wind more, so that’s something to keep in mind. I like to check airline updates before I even leave for the terminal, just to dodge any last-minute surprises.
For comfort, dress in layers. Terminal areas can get chilly when strong southerly winds blow through the city.