May weather forecast
New Zealand

In May, New Zealand embraces the full onset of autumn and the approach of winter. In the North Island, regions including Auckland and Wellington observe average temperatures dropping to approximately 13°C (55.4°F). The South Island's cities, namely Christchurch and Dunedin, witness colder conditions with average temperatures around 9°C (48.2°F).

The far north of the North Island sees the fading of its usually warm, sub-tropical climate, with temperatures shifting towards cooler averages. Areas of the South Island, including Central Otago and Canterbury's interior, also continue to experience this cooling trend, with an almost complete absence of warming Foehn winds.

Compared to April, May brings a noticeable change in temperature and daylight hours. The amount of sunshine decreases further, offering three to four hours per day. The shorter days and cooler temperatures symbolize the advent of winter and provide a different ambiance for outdoor activities.

May does not typically record any extreme temperature highs or lows. However, the month witnesses a substantial increase in precipitation compared to the drier summer months, reflecting the shift towards the more humid winter season.

Sea temperatures during May range from 13°C (55.4°F) to 16°C (60.8°F), significantly cooler than in the preceding months. Consequently, water-based activities become less appealing due to the colder conditions. The threat of tropical cyclones is virtually non-existent in May, corresponding to the cooler, calmer weather typical of the late autumn period.

Looking ahead, June heralds the arrival of winter, bringing further cooling, more variability in weather conditions, and increasingly shorter days and longer nights.

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• Auckland - May »
  On the last day of the month, in Auckland sunrise is at 7:24 am and sunset at 5:13 pm NZST. In Auckland, during the entire year, the rain falls for 186.5 days and collects up to 625mm (24.61") of precipitation.
• Wellington - May »
  On the last day of May, sunrise is at 7:36 am and sunset at 5:00 pm NZST. On the first day of May in Wellington sunrise is at 7:08 am and sunset at 5:27 pm.
• Christchurch - May »
  On the last day of the month, in Christchurch sunrise is at 7:51 am and sunset at 5:02 pm NZST. April through September, with an average maximum UV index of 3, are months with the lowest UV index in Christchurch, New Zealand.
• Hamilton - May »
  On the first day of May in Hamilton, sunrise is at 6:59 am and sunset at 5:31 pm. In Hamilton, during May, the rain falls for 11 days and regularly aggregates up to 100mm (3.94") of precipitation.
• Tauranga - May »
  On the last day of the month, in Tauranga sunrise is at 7:20 am and sunset at 5:05 pm NZST. In May, in Tauranga the rain falls for 13.8 days.
• Napier - May »
  On the last day of the month, in Napier, sunrise is at 7:22 am and sunset at 4:57 pm NZST. In Napier, during May, the rain falls for 7.9 days and regularly aggregates up to 75mm (2.95") of precipitation.
• Dunedin - May »
  In Dunedin, snow does not fall in January through July, September through December. In Dunedin, snow does not fall in January through July, September through December.
• Palmerston North - May »
  On the last day of the month, in Palmerston North, sunrise is at 7:30 am and sunset at 5:00 pm NZST. In Palmerston North in May, during 9.9 rainfall days, 72mm (2.83") of precipitation is typically accumulated.
• Nelson - May »
  On the first day of May in Nelson, sunrise is at 7:14 am and sunset at 5:33 pm. April's transformation into May witnesses an average high-temperature of a moderate 15.6°C (60.1°F) in Nelson, noting a minor change from the preceding month.
• Rotorua - May »
  In Rotorua snow does not fall in January through July, September through December. On the last day of the month, in Rotorua, sunrise is at 7:21 am and sunset at 5:03 pm NZST.
• New Plymouth - May »
  On the first day of May in New Plymouth sunrise is at 7:07 am and sunset at 5:34 pm. In May, the chills of winter begin to crawl into New Plymouth, with temperatures dropping to an average of 16°C (60.8°F), marking a significant difference from the warm climes of the previous month.
• Whangarei - May »
  On the last day of the month, in Whangarei, sunrise is at 7:23 am and sunset at 5:17 pm NZST. In Whangarei, New Zealand, in May, during 13.7 rainfall days, 48mm (1.89") of precipitation is typically accumulated.