Spring in Wellington means the days start feeling milder and a bit brighter. You’ll see average daytime highs climb from the mid-50s °F in early spring to the low 60s °F by late November. Nights stay cool, but they’re rarely cold. The shift is slow, so you just sort of notice the daylight stretching out and the outdoors feeling more inviting as weeks pass.
Rain still shows up, but it doesn’t take over. Showers usually move through fast, leaving behind crisp air and, often, blue sky. Cloud cover hangs around at a steady clip, but you still get a decent share of sunshine.
If you’re outside, you’ll definitely feel the wind. Wellington’s spring breezes, mostly from the north, make the days feel brisk even when the sun’s out. With low humidity and more daylight, the city feels lively and fresh—ideal for wandering around or heading out into the hills.
Typical Spring Temperatures in Wellington
You’ll notice spring warms up steadily in Wellington, with daily temperatures inching higher as the season goes on. It stays pretty mild overall, but early and late spring can feel quite different, especially from day to night.
Average Highs and Lows
Early spring days usually top out around 55°F (13°C). By late spring, highs push up to about 63°F (17°C). It’s rare for highs to go above 68°F (20°C), so things stay pretty comfortable.
At night, lows start near 47°F (8°C) in September and work up to about 54°F (12°C) by November. Temperatures hardly ever dip below 40°F (4°C) or climb past 59°F (15°C).
You’ll probably want a light jacket for mornings and evenings. Afternoons, though, can feel just right. The gap between day and night temps is there, but it’s not dramatic, so packing layers is the way to go.
Temperature Changes Through Spring
The warming happens gradually. Over three months, daily highs rise by about 8°F (4°C) and lows by 7°F (4°C).
Spring feels noticeably milder than winter, but it doesn’t quite reach summer’s warmth. On Wellington’s hottest days, highs average 68°F (20°C)—not much warmer than those late spring afternoons.
Plants get a longer growing season as temperatures rise. Outdoor activities become more appealing too. If you’re visiting, late spring usually brings the most stable and pleasant weather.
Hourly Temperature Patterns
Spring mornings start off cool, usually in the 40s°F to low 50s°F (7–12°C). By midday, things warm up into the upper 50s°F to low 60s°F (14–17°C).
After sunset, temperatures drop quickly back into the 40s°F and 50s°F (8–12°C). Afternoons offer the warmest, most comfortable stretch of the day.
Wellington doesn’t really do extremes in spring. Hourly data shows temperatures stay in a narrow range, which makes it easier to plan for outdoor stuff, commuting, or sightseeing.
Rainfall and Precipitation Trends
Wellington’s spring brings a fair amount of rain, cloudy spells, and some gusty showers. You’ll get regular precipitation, but it’s nothing like the downpours you’d see in the tropics.
Average Rainfall Amounts
The city picks up about 927 mm of rain each year, and spring adds a steady chunk to that. September and October usually see 80–90 mm apiece, while November drops a bit to 70–80 mm.
Rain comes pretty evenly throughout spring, not all at once. Long dry spells are rare, but you don’t often get those heavy, flooding rains either.
Just to break it down:
- September: ~85 mm
- October: ~90 mm
- November: ~75 mm
Spring is wetter than summer but not as damp as winter.
Probability of Wet Days
Count on 10–14 rainy days each month in spring. Wellington calls a day “rainy” if it gets more than 0.2 mm of precipitation.
You won’t face endless rain, though. Many days just have brief showers or drizzle, then clear up. Most of the rain comes with passing fronts, not long, soaking storms.
There’s about a 35–45% chance you’ll hit rain on any given spring day. A light rain jacket or an umbrella is a good idea if you’re out and about.
Seasonal Rainfall Variation
Spring rainfall falls between the wetter winters and drier summers. June is the wettest month with about 102 mm, while January is driest at around 58 mm. Spring sits right in the middle.
The ocean really shapes Wellington’s weather. Winds off the Cook Strait bring showers, especially to coastal areas. Inland, you might see a bit less rain, but the general pattern holds.
When you’re planning travel, expect some rain, but it usually won’t ruin your day.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine Levels
Spring in Wellington is a jumble of cloudy spells and sun. You’ll see the sky flip between overcast and clear, and daylight hours stretch out as the season moves along.
Average Cloudiness
Most spring days are partly to mostly cloudy. On average, cloud cover hangs around 40–45% of the time, so you’ll get a decent mix of gray and bright days.
The city’s coastal setting and steady winds keep the clouds moving. Air from the Tasman Sea often brings in low cloud layers. Sometimes you’ll wake up to blue skies, only to watch clouds roll in by afternoon.
Spring has a bit more cloud than summer, which can make outdoor plans a little unpredictable. Still, it’s rare for clouds to block out the sun all day.
Sunshine Hours
You’ll notice longer daylight hours as spring heads toward summer. By late November, Wellington gets about 14 hours of daylight a day, so you’ve got plenty of time outside, even if it’s partly cloudy.
Actual sun hours vary, but most days deliver 5–7 hours of sunshine. Even with clouds, light often breaks through.
November stands out for its long evenings. That extra daylight makes it easier to squeeze in late walks or dinner outside.
Clearest and Cloudiest Spring Days
The clearest spring days usually happen when strong northerly or northwesterly winds sweep clouds away. You’ll get big blue skies and just a few stray clouds.
Cloudier days tend to show up when southerly winds blow in. These bring cooler air and stubborn low clouds. It can feel gray and damp, but not always rainy.
You’ll find more sunny breaks as spring goes on. Early spring is cloudier, while late spring gives you more chances for clear days. If you keep your plans flexible, you can make the most of it.
Daylight Hours and Sun Position
In spring, Wellington’s daylight grows fast and the sun climbs higher in the sky. You’ll spot longer evenings, earlier mornings, and a big shift in how the city feels outside. These changes shape daily life, travel, and the way you see the scenery.
Changes in Day Length
Daylight ramps up quickly in spring. Early September gives you about 11 hours, 10 minutes of daylight. By late November, that stretches to almost 14 hours, 54 minutes.
Across the season, you gain nearly 3 hours, 45 minutes of daylight. That’s about 2.5 minutes more each day.
Longer days make it easier to fit in outdoor plans—hikes, waterfront walks, sightseeing, you name it. The city really starts to feel like it’s shaking off winter.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
At the start of spring, the sun comes up around 7:00 AM and sets close to 6:00 PM. By late November, sunrise is about 5:42 AM and sunset stretches to 8:36 PM.
You get more usable daylight at both ends of the day. The earliest sunset in spring happens on September 1 at 5:56 PM. The latest sunset is right at the end of November.
One thing to keep in mind: hills and cliffs around Wellington can make the sun rise later or set earlier, depending on where you are.
Daylight Saving Time Effects
Daylight Saving Time kicks in late September. At 3:00 AM, clocks jump ahead by an hour. That means sunrise and sunset both shift an hour later on the clock.
So, after DST starts, a sunrise that would’ve happened at 6:00 AM now shows up at 7:00 AM. Evenings feel longer, which is nice for eating outside or catching an event.
Mornings stay darker for a bit after the switch. If you’re traveling or have early plans, it helps to remember the change so you’re not caught off guard.
Wind and Humidity Patterns
Wellington’s spring is all about steady winds and moderate humidity. Expect breezy days and moisture levels that don’t shift much, though things do dry out a little as spring moves along.
Typical Wind Speeds
Wellington earns its reputation for wind, especially in spring. Average speeds fall between 23 km/h (14 mph) and 27 km/h (17 mph), with gusts sometimes blasting past 35 km/h (22 mph).
September and October usually bring the strongest winds. The seasonal change from winter to summer stirs up pressure differences that drive the breeze.
Winds mostly blow from the north or northwest, but southerly blasts can roll in after a cold front, dropping temperatures fast.
If you’re heading outside, expect stronger winds on the coast or up in the hills. City spots can be more sheltered, but you’ll still notice the wind.
Humidity Levels
Humidity stays pretty steady in Wellington’s spring, usually between 75% and 82%. The air feels moist, but it’s not oppressive.
September tends to be a bit more humid, around 82%, while November drops closer to 75–77%. Warmer temps and longer days help dry things out a little.
Unlike some places, Wellington doesn’t get a super dry season. Light to moderate rain keeps humidity from dropping much.
Travelers can expect a mild dampness, especially in the mornings. By afternoon, breezes usually make the air feel fresher, so walking or exploring outdoors is comfortable.
How Spring Weather Compares to Other Seasons
Spring in Wellington really feels like a period of change. You start to notice the temperatures rising from those chilly winter levels, but things don’t heat up quite like they do in summer.
Days stretch out, giving you more daylight than winter ever does. There’s something refreshing about that extra sunlight, even if it’s not exactly warm yet.
If you compare spring to summer, you’ll find it’s cooler and a bit more unpredictable. Summer highs often hit around 17–20°C, but spring usually hovers closer to 13–17°C.
You get fewer hours of sunshine in spring. Still, by late November, the gap isn’t all that big.
Autumn actually feels a bit like spring in some ways, but instead of warming up, it cools down. Autumn highs land between 14–18°C, while spring pushes upward as the season goes on.
Rainfall doesn’t change much between autumn and spring. You’ll probably want to keep an umbrella handy for those wet days either way.
Winter stands out as the coldest and darkest stretch of the year. Highs usually stick near 11°C, and daylight hours are pretty short.
Spring brings nearly four extra hours of daylight by late November, which feels like a gift after winter. Winds lighten up too, especially compared to those wild winter storms.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Season | Avg High (°C) | Avg Low (°C) | Daylight Hours | Rainfall Chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | 17–20 | 15–17 | 14–15 hrs | ~25% |
| Autumn | 14–18 | 10–13 | 11–13 hrs | ~25% |
| Winter | 10–12 | 7–9 | 9–10 hrs | ~30% |
| Spring | 13–17 | 8–12 | 11–15 hrs | ~26% |
Spring lands somewhere in the middle, offering a blend of mild temperatures, more daylight, and pretty steady rainfall.