Blenheim’s Climate – New Zealand

Blenheim Temperatures | Blenheim Sunshine Hours | Climate of Blenheim | Blenheim Rainfall

Blenheim’s location

Blenheim is located on the North Coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

The area enjoys New Zealand’s sunniest climate, receiving almost 2,500 hours of bright sunshine per annum.

Summers in Blenheim are warm and dry. Winters are sunny and generally pleasant, although frosts and chilly nights are more common in Blenheim than in most North Island locations.

Blenheim is located in Marlborough, which is New Zealand’s best known wine growing region.

Similar Latitude Cities

Blenheim sits on a latitude of 41.5 degrees South. Cities on similar latitudes in the Northern hemisphere include Rome, Italy and Salt Lake City, Utah. Blenheim is cooler in summer than these northern hemisphere cities because of the moderating effects of the surrounding Pacific Ocean.

Climate Data for Blenheim, New Zealand

Month	Av. 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.	24	13	8.3	8	70
Feb.	24	12	7.9	6	75
Mar.	22	11	7.2	6	75
Apr.	19	8	6.4	7	80
May	16	5	5.7	9	80
Jun.	13	3	5.1	9	80
Jul.	13	2	5.1	11	80
Aug.	14	3	5.9	10	78
Sep.	16	6	6.1	9	80
Oct.	18	7	7.2	9	75
Nov.	20	10	7.6	8	65
Dec.	22	11	8.2	8	65

The Strong Sun

The main weather hazard faced by Blenheim’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.