Wellington in October

In October, Wellington averages 15°C (58°F) during the day and 11°C (51°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 17 days of the month see precipitation (66 mm total).

Shoulder

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

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

15°C
Avg high
11°C
Avg low
17
Rain days
66 mm
Rainfall

How October compares to the rest of the year in Wellington

8th
warmest month of the 12
7th
wettest month of the 12
6%
of yearly rainfall falls in October
13 h 8 min
daylight on the 15th

October is in the middle of the year for warmth in Wellington (8th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (7th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C below the annual average (16°C). October runs 2°C warmer than September (13°C) and warms a further 2°C into November (16°C).

October sunrise & sunset in Wellington

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:32 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:40 PM
Day length
13 h 8 min

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

Photography light in Wellington — October

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:32 AM – 6:12 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:12 AM – 7:12 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
8:00 PM – 8:40 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Fair
Core only briefly above the horizon — a marginal month even from dark sites near Wellington.

📅 When to book — Wellington in October

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 October'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 — October 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 — October in Wellington

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
10.6
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 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 October weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Wellington in October?

In October, Wellington averages a high of 15°C (58°F) and a low of 11°C (51°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Wellington in October?

October is quite rainy in Wellington, with about 17 rainy days on average.

Is October a good time to visit Wellington?

October 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 October?

Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full October 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.