Is Palmerston North sunnier than Blenheim?

Blenheim is the sunnier: about 2,486 hours of sunshine a year versus 2,196 — a difference of 290 hours.

Which is warmer, Palmerston North or Blenheim?

Year-round daytime highs are similar: Palmerston North averages 17°C (63°F), Blenheim 18°C (64°F).

Which is better in winter (November–February), Palmerston North or Blenheim?

Blenheim scores better across November–February: 81/100 average versus 76, with daytime highs around 22°C.

Palmerston North vs Blenheim: which is sunnier?

🇳🇿 New Zealand vs 🇳🇿 New Zealand · 198 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Blenheim is the sunnier overall: about 2,486 hours of sunshine a year to Palmerston North's 2,196. Blenheim has the higher Sunshine Score in 7 of 12 months, Palmerston North in 2 (3 within 2 points).

Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.

At a glance

	Palmerston North	Blenheim
Sunshine hours / year	2,196	2,486
Sunniest month	January (81/100)	February (84/100)
Nov–Feb average score	76/100	81/100
Jun–Aug average score	27/100	24/100
Rain / year	948 mm	803 mm
Peak midday UV	9 (very high)	9 (very high)

Palmerston North vs Blenheim month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm
Month	Palmerston North	Blenheim	Palmerston North	Blenheim	Palmerston North	Blenheim
January	81	83	23°	24°	58	55
February	80	84	23°	24°	61	51
March	80	83	21°	22°	63	56
April	64	67	18°	18°	78	73
May	44	46	15°	15°	86	76
June	31	26	13°	12°	99	86
July	25	20	12°	11°	92	74
August	25	27	12°	12°	86	68
September	38	48	14°	15°	82	64
October	50	60	16°	17°	90	73
November	66	76	18°	19°	71	55
December	77	80	21°	22°	82	72

The sunnier month by month: Jan even · Feb Blenheim · Mar Blenheim · Apr Blenheim · May even · Jun Palmerston North · Jul Palmerston North · Aug even · Sep Blenheim · Oct Blenheim · Nov Blenheim · Dec Blenheim.

When to pick which

November–February: Blenheim (average score 81/100 vs 76). Daytime highs are similar (21°C vs 22°C).
March–May: too close to call — Palmerston North averages 63/100, Blenheim 65/100. Daytime highs are similar (18°C vs 18°C).
June–August: Palmerston North (average score 27/100 vs 24). Daytime highs are similar (12°C vs 12°C).
September–October: Blenheim (average score 54/100 vs 44). Daytime highs are similar (15°C vs 16°C).

Full month-by-month guides: Palmerston North weather by month · Blenheim weather by month · Best time to visit New Zealand.

More comparisons: Palmerston North vs Wellington · Palmerston North vs New Plymouth · Palmerston North vs Napier · Blenheim vs Christchurch · Blenheim vs Wellington · Blenheim vs Dunedin · all head-to-heads