Is Wellington sunnier than Palmerston North?

Wellington is the sunnier: about 2,510 hours of sunshine a year versus 2,196 — a difference of 314 hours.

Which is warmer, Wellington or Palmerston North?

Palmerston North is warmer across the year: average daytime highs of 17°C (63°F) versus 15°C.

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

Palmerston North scores better across November–February: 76/100 average versus 71, with daytime highs around 21°C.

Wellington vs Palmerston North: which is sunnier?

🇳🇿 New Zealand vs 🇳🇿 New Zealand · 131 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Wellington is the sunnier overall: about 2,510 hours of sunshine a year to Palmerston North's 2,196. Palmerston North has the higher Sunshine Score in 8 of 12 months, Wellington in 1 (3 within 2 points).

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

At a glance

	Wellington	Palmerston North
Sunshine hours / year	2,510	2,196
Sunniest month	February (83/100)	January (81/100)
Nov–Feb average score	71/100	76/100
Jun–Aug average score	28/100	27/100
Rain / year	857 mm	948 mm
Peak midday UV	10 (very high)	9 (very high)

Wellington vs Palmerston North month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm
Month	Wellington	Palmerston North	Wellington	Palmerston North	Wellington	Palmerston North
January	77	81	19°	23°	51	58
February	83	80	20°	23°	58	61
March	69	80	18°	21°	58	63
April	54	64	16°	18°	70	78
May	39	44	14°	15°	80	86
June	32	31	13°	13°	92	99
July	26	25	12°	12°	86	92
August	26	25	12°	12°	82	86
September	34	38	13°	14°	70	82
October	40	50	14°	16°	77	90
November	55	66	16°	18°	64	71
December	67	77	18°	21°	69	82

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

When to pick which

November–February: Palmerston North (average score 76/100 vs 71). Palmerston North is the warmer, around 21°C daytime highs vs 18°C.
March–May: Palmerston North (average score 63/100 vs 54). Palmerston North is the warmer, around 18°C daytime highs vs 16°C.
June–August: too close to call — Wellington averages 28/100, Palmerston North 27/100. Daytime highs are similar (12°C vs 12°C).
September–October: Palmerston North (average score 44/100 vs 37). Daytime highs are similar (14°C vs 15°C).

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

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