Wellington in August

In August, Wellington averages 12°C (54°F) during the day and 9°C (48°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 19 days of the month see precipitation (103 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

August is one of the wetter and less comfortable months in Wellington. If your dates are flexible, consider a different time of year.

12°C
Avg high
9°C
Avg low
19
Rain days
103 mm
Rainfall

How August compares to the rest of the year in Wellington

12th
warmest month of the 12
2nd
wettest month of the 12
10%
of yearly rainfall falls in August
10 h 26 min
daylight on the 15th

August is one of the coolest months in Wellington (12th of 12) and one of the wettest months (2nd of 12). Daytime temperature runs 4°C below the annual average (16°C). August runs roughly the same as July (12°C) and warms a further 1°C into September (13°C).

August sunrise & sunset in Wellington

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:12 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:38 PM
Day length
10 h 26 min

Times shown for Wellington local time (Pacific/Auckland), calculated for the 15th of August. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Wellington — August

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of August, in Wellington's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:12 AM – 6:52 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:52 AM – 7:52 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:58 PM – 5:58 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:58 PM – 6:38 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Good
Galactic core is up but lower on the horizon; head well outside city limits for a clean view.

📅 When to book — Wellington in August

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on August's tier (Shoulder) and Wellington's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — August in Wellington

Shoulder

Wellington is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Sun & mosquito risk — August in Wellington

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
6.4
High
Cover up and apply SPF 30+ for any outdoor activity longer than 30 minutes.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Wellington in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 20°C / 67°F 15°C / 59°F 46 mm 14
February 19°C / 67°F 15°C / 59°F 80 mm 12
March 18°C / 65°F 14°C / 58°F 78 mm 15
April 16°C / 62°F 13°C / 55°F 96 mm 16
May 15°C / 59°F 12°C / 53°F 100 mm 18
June 13°C / 56°F 10°C / 49°F 100 mm 17
July 12°C / 54°F 9°C / 47°F 102 mm 19
August 12°C / 54°F 9°C / 48°F 103 mm 19
September 13°C / 55°F 9°C / 49°F 88 mm 19
October 15°C / 58°F 11°C / 51°F 66 mm 17
November 16°C / 61°F 12°C / 54°F 88 mm 18
December 18°C / 64°F 14°C / 57°F 77 mm 16

Other cities with similar August weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Wellington in August →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Wellington in August?

In August, Wellington averages a high of 12°C (54°F) and a low of 9°C (48°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Wellington in August?

August is quite rainy in Wellington, with about 19 rainy days on average.

Is August a good time to visit Wellington?

August is cool but on the rainy side. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Wellington in August?

Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full August packing list for Wellington for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Wellington on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.