Napier’s Climate

Napier Temperatures | Napier Sunshine Hours | Climate of Napier

Napier, New Zealand
Napier’s location

Napier enjoys a near-Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters.


The combination of heat and humidity can cause a little discomfort in summer for some people.

Similar Latitude Cities

Napier sits on a latitude of 39.3 degrees South. Cities on similar latitudes in the Northern hemisphere include Palma, Majorca and Sacramento, California.

Napier is cooler in summer than these northern hemisphere cities because of the moderating effects of the surrounding Pacific Ocean.

Climate Data for Napier, New Zealand

MonthAv. Daily
Maximum Temp.
(OC)
Av. Daily
Minimum
Temp.
(OC)
Av. hours
Sunshine (per day)
Av. No. Days
with at least
0.25 mm
Rainfall
Average
Afternoon
Humidity
Jan.24157.8864
Feb.24157.0870
Mar.23136.2875
Apr.20105.4880
May1774.91080
Jun.1454.11180
Jul.1454.41282
Aug.1555.11278
Sep.1775.71075
Oct.1996.7967
Nov.21117.1967
Dec.23137.5865

NZ in the Northern Hemisphere New Zealand Moves North

Where would New Zealand be located, if it could be moved to the Northern Hemisphere location equal to its current Southern Hemisphere location?

The Yellow Disc in the Sky

The main weather hazard faced by Napier’s residents is the strength of the sun – particularly in summer.

  • In high summer, the sunshine in New Zealand is really strong. You’ll burn more easily in New Zealand than anywhere in the Mediterranean.
  • There are three reasons why the sun in the Southern Hemisphere is so strong.
    • There is less ozone to block the UV rays that cause sunburn.
    • Earth’s orbit takes it closer to the sun during the southern summer than during the northern summer.
    • There is less pollution in the southern hemisphere to block the UV rays.
  • The sun’s burning strength is measured by the UV index. The highest possible UV index at sea-level is about 20. This can occur at midday in equatorial regions. Any reading higher than 10 is extreme in terms of skin-damage.
    • The UV Index in the Mediterranean in high-summer reaches 9 or 10.
    • The people in Florida are fried on a just a few days each summer when the index reaches 12.
    • In New Zealand the summer index often exceeds 12.

Return to the New Zealand Climate Guide.


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