Avg High
Wellington in January
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
15h
What to expect
Wellington is in mid-summer during January, with the season well established by this point. It generally feels mild and comfortable, with a fairly even feel across the day. Daylight stays generous for longer outdoor plans. Conditions tend to feel steady, which makes planning simple.
January in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Wellington.
Hottest (avg)
#2 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#12 / 12
Daylight Hours
#2 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#5 / 12
Highest UV
#2 / 12
Most Humid
#6 / 12
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 14.8 h
- UV index (max)
- 9
- Typical sun hours
- 06:06 - 20:52
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 11 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 56%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 79%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for January. Typical high 17.8°C and low 15.0°C.
Typical disruptions in January
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in January.
Wind High impact
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 48% of days (14.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
14.8 days / month
~48% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 14.8 days / month
- Probability ~48% of days
- Intensity Up to ~109km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~15 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wind High impact
Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). Observed about 19% of days (5.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.8 days / month
~19% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.8 days / month
- Probability ~19% of days
- Intensity Up to ~118km/h (P95)
Severe gusts are possible on ~6 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain High impact
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 11% of days (3.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.5 days / month
~11% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.5 days / month
- Probability ~11% of days
- Intensity Up to ~22mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Wind disruption Measures: Disruptive wind days. Observed about 9% of days (2.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.9 days / month
~9% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.9 days / month
- Probability ~9% of days
- Intensity Up to ~130km/h (P95)
Disruptive wind is possible on ~3 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wind High impact
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 4% of days (1.4 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.4 days / month
~4% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.4 days / month
- Probability ~4% of days
- Intensity Up to ~110km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain Moderate
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 12% of days (3.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.6 days / month
~12% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.6 days / month
- Probability ~12% of days
- Intensity Up to ~22mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Show all disruptions (16 more)
Rain High impact
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 0.7 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.7 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.7 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~19mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Wind disruption run Measures: Multi-day wind disruption runs. Observed about 0.4 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.4 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.4 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~132km/h (P95)
Multi-day disruptive wind runs are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain Moderate
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 5% of days (1.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.7 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.7 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~28mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind Minor
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 81% of days (25.1 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
25.1 days / month
~81% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 25.1 days / month
- Probability ~81% of days
- Intensity Up to ~102km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~25 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Humidity Minor
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 51% of days (15.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
15.8 days / month
~51% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 15.8 days / month
- Probability ~51% of days
- Intensity Up to ~92% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~16 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Cloud Minor
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 47% of days (14.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
14.7 days / month
~47% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 14.7 days / month
- Probability ~47% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~15 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 43% of days (13.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
13.5 days / month
~43% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 13.5 days / month
- Probability ~43% of days
- Intensity Up to ~15mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~13 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind Minor
Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 35% of days (10.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
10.8 days / month
~35% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 10.8 days / month
- Probability ~35% of days
- Intensity Up to ~41km/h (P95)
Breezy conditions are possible on ~11 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain Minor
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 33% of days (10.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
10.2 days / month
~33% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 10.2 days / month
- Probability ~33% of days
- Intensity Up to ~20h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~10 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cloud Minor
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 25% of days (7.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.7 days / month
~25% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.7 days / month
- Probability ~25% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~8 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 22% of days (6.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
6.8 days / month
~22% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 6.8 days / month
- Probability ~22% of days
- Intensity Up to ~21h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~7 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cloud Minor
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 10% of days (3.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.0 days / month
~10% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.0 days / month
- Probability ~10% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind Minor
Windy days Measures: Windy days (mean wind >=35 km/h). Observed about 9% of days (2.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.9 days / month
~9% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.9 days / month
- Probability ~9% of days
- Intensity Up to ~45km/h (P95)
Strong mean winds are possible on ~3 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Visibility Minor
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 3% of days (0.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.8 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.8 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~96% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Other Minor
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 3% of days (0.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.8 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.8 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~96 (P95)
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humidity Minor
Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.3 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.3 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~19°C (P95)
Humid conditions are possible on ~0 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Frequently asked questions
Is January a good time to visit Wellington?
Typical January days in Wellington reach highs of 19°C (66°F) with nights around 15°C (59°F). It usually feels mild by day and cool after dark. It is one of the drier months, which suits outdoor exploring and sightseeing.
What are temperatures like in January?
In January, you can usually expect highs of 19°C (66°F) and lows near 15°C (59°F). That means mild days and cool nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.
How much does it rain in January?
Rainfall in January averages 53 mm (2.1 in) across roughly 11 days. Overall it is a quite rainy time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.
How many hours of daylight are there in January?
You can expect about 15 hours of daylight in January. Sunrise is typically around 06:06 and sunset near 20:52. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.
How strong is the sun in January?
UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 9), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.
Is it windy in January?
In January, average wind speeds are around 21 km/h (13 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 90 km/h (56 mph). On the ground, it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.