West Coast Climate and Average Weather
Climate of West Coast: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in West Coast month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 68° | 55° | 8,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| February | 67° | 54° | 5,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 64° | 52° | 6,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| April | 62° | 50° | 11,9 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| May | 58° | 45° | 6,5 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| June | 55° | 43° | 11,5 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| July | 54° | 41° | 8,8 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| August | 54° | 39° | 7,8 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| September | 56° | 45° | 14,5 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| October | 58° | 46° | 14,5 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| November | 62° | 49° | 9,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| December | 65° | 54° | 11,7 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in West Coast
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How West Coast compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against West Coast.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aoraki / Mount Cook | 96 mi | 12°F | 74°F cooler | 193 in |
| Canterbury | 104 mi | 54°F | about the same | 27 in |
| Christchurch | 104 mi | 54°F | about the same | 27 in |
| South Island | 110 mi | 46°F | 40°F cooler | 60 in |
| Tasman | 114 mi | 53°F | 33°F cooler | 55 in |
Best time to visit West Coast
Go in February. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: June, July and September - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for West Coast
Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 55°F is in line with the 54°F typical for this month.
A 100% chance means rain is expected over most of the area. Plan indoor alternatives. Around 1,6 in is forecast, which is enough to soak trails and slow traffic.
Visibility is down to 1,2 mi - use low beams and leave extra following distance. Gusts to 63 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Southern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in December to February.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 48°F.
What to pack, what to skip
- A packable rain shell - 7 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- Avoid exposed ridgelines, small boats and rooftop viewpoints while gusts stay above 63 mph.
- If your dates are flexible, avoid June, July and September - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
West Coast is a region in New Zealand. West Coast is a region of New Zealand. It has a population of about 32.000.
Right now it is 47°F (9°C) in West Coast with thunderstorm. It feels like 35°F. Today runs from 43°F to 55°F. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sightseeing conditions score 3.1/10 - poor - consider another day.
The best time to visit West Coast is February. The climate is temperate. June, July and September tend to be the least comfortable months. January is the warmest month with average highs near 68°F, while August is the coldest with lows near 39°F.
The closest major airport is Queenstown Airport (ZQN), about 216 mi away. Nearby highlights include Aoraki / Mount Cook, South Island, Lake Wakatipu and Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand.
In plain terms. Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 55°F is in line with the 54°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 9 AM to 12 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. fishing is the strongest bet in West Coast today at 7.7/10. Visibility is down to 1,2 mi - use low beams and leave extra following distance. Gusts to 63 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Quick facts about West Coast
| Type | Region |
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 42°27′0″S 171°12′36″E (-42.45, 171.21) |
| Population | 32.000 |
| Local time | 6:16 PM (UTC+12:00) |
| Best months | February |
| Climate | Temperate |
Weather map for West Coast
Animated model layers. Pick a layer to load it.
Animated layers by Windy. For pin-level detail and nearby places, see the interactive map below.
Explore West Coast
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Climate for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is West Coast?
West Coast is a region in New Zealand. Its coordinates are -42.45, 171.21. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in West Coast right now?
It is currently 47°F (9°C) with thunderstorm. Humidity is 80% and wind is 24 mph.
When is the best time to visit West Coast?
February offer the most comfortable conditions in West Coast, which has a temperate climate. June, July and September are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is West Coast in?
West Coast observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+12:00). The local time is 6:16 PM.
How many people live in West Coast?
West Coast has a population of approximately 32.000.
What is the nearest airport to West Coast?
The closest airports are Queenstown Airport (ZQN), 216 mi away.
What are the top things to do in West Coast?
Popular options include Aoraki / Mount Cook, South Island, Lake Wakatipu, Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand and Milford Sound.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (nz-regions) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated August 23, 2026 at 6:16 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
