NIWA's Climate Science Centre has released a Wellington regional climatology - "The Climate and Weather of Wellington".
A regional climatology is a summary of the typical weather and climate of a region, based on historical data observations made at climate stations located within the region.
The climate and weather of the Wellington region is characterised by strong variations in space and time, strongly influenced by the presence of Cook Straight and the rugged local topography.
In general, the climate of the region is a reflection of the general disturbed westerly flow with interspersed anticyclones, modified in specific places by the local topography. To the east of the Tararua and Rimutaka Ranges, the Wairarapa area experiences more temperature and rainfall extremes than the western part of the region.
Wind conditions are the strongest around the southwestern tip of the region. The region as a whole is generally sunny and windy compared with other parts of New Zealand.
The Climate and Weather of Wellington [PDF 3.1 MB]
More information
A regional climatology is a summary of the typical weather and climate of a region, based on historical data observations made at climate stations located within the region. In the 1980s, the Meteorological Service produced a series of popular books that described and detailed the climates of each region throughout New Zealand.
The books can still be found, well-thumbed, in libraries, offices and council premises up and down the country.
Dr Andrew Tait, Principal Scientist, Climate at NIWA, says that after 30 years, it was time to update the regional climatology books. "The books give a basic big picture of the typical climate of each region. They've had an exceptionally long shelf life, but it's now time to reflect the latest data."
View all available regional climatologies
Read more about NIWA's regional climatologies
