Wellington in September

In September, Wellington averages 13°C (55°F) during the day and 9°C (49°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 19 days of the month see precipitation (88 mm total).

Shoulder

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

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

13°C
Avg high
9°C
Avg low
19
Rain days
88 mm
Rainfall

How September compares to the rest of the year in Wellington

10th
warmest month of the 12
3rd
wettest month of the 12
9%
of yearly rainfall falls in September
11 h 46 min
daylight on the 15th

September is one of the coolest months in Wellington (10th of 12) and one of the wettest months (3rd of 12). Daytime temperature runs 3°C below the annual average (16°C). September runs 1°C warmer than August (12°C) and warms a further 2°C into October (15°C).

September sunrise & sunset in Wellington

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:23 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:09 PM
Day length
11 h 46 min

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

Photography light in Wellington — September

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:23 AM – 6:03 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:03 AM – 7:03 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:29 PM – 6:29 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:29 PM – 7:09 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 September

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 September'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 — September 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 — September in Wellington

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.6
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 September weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Wellington in September?

In September, Wellington averages a high of 13°C (55°F) and a low of 9°C (49°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Wellington in September?

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

Is September a good time to visit Wellington?

September 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 September?

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