March weather forecast
New Zealand

March in New Zealand signals the start of the autumn season, with a subtle decrease in temperatures when compared to the summer months of January and February. In the North Island, in regions such as Auckland and Wellington, the average temperature is about 18°C (64.4°F). The South Island, including cities like Christchurch and Dunedin, experiences average temperatures around 14°C (57.2°F), further reinforcing the transition from summer to autumn.

The far north of the North Island, despite the overall cooling trend, still retains a relatively warm climate. However, the warmth and humidity characteristic of its sub-tropical weather begin to wane. Similarly, in regions of the South Island such as Central Otago and Canterbury's interior, the impact of Foehn winds lessens, leading to fewer instances of temperature spikes.

When compared to February, March presents a noticeable decrease in temperatures, indicating the progression towards cooler autumn weather. The duration of sunshine also decreases, offering around five to six hours of daylight per day, still ample for outdoor activities but with noticeably shorter days.

Historical records suggest that March does not typically register extreme temperature values. Instead, the weather remains moderately warm with temperatures rarely exceeding 30°C (86°F). This trend indicates the shift towards a more temperate and less volatile climate characteristic of autumn.

Sea temperatures during March range from 17°C (62.6°F) to 20°C (68°F), a slight drop from the summer months but still comfortable for swimming. The risk of tropical cyclones begins to subside in March, making sea-based activities safer. This transitional month, moving from the warmth of summer to the cooler autumn, often offers some of the most stable and pleasant weather conditions, making it an attractive period for visitors.

Looking ahead, April brings further cooling as autumn progresses, with gradually decreasing temperatures and increasingly variable weather, setting the stage for the winter months that follow.

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• Auckland - March »
  The months with the lowest humidity in Auckland are January through March and November, with an average relative humidity of 77%. March's advent in Auckland presents an average high-temperature of a still agreeable 21.3°C (70.3°F), indicating a slight variation from the conditions of the previous month.
• Wellington - March »
  The months with the highest UV index in Wellington are January through March and December, with an average maximum UV index of 5. On the first day of March sunrise is at 7:02 am and sunset at 8:04 pm.
• Christchurch - March »
  On the last day of March, in Christchurch, sunrise is at 7:45 am and sunset at 7:22 pm NZDT. In Christchurch, in March, during 8.5 rainfall days, 21mm (0.83") of precipitation is typically accumulated.
• Hamilton - March »
  In Hamilton in March, during 7.7 rainfall days, 79mm (3.11") of precipitation is typically accumulated. When are sunrise and sunset in March in Hamilton?
• Tauranga - March »
  January through March and November, with an average relative humidity of 79%, are the least humid months in Tauranga, New Zealand. January through March and December, with an average maximum UV index of 5, are months with the highest UV index in Tauranga, New Zealand.
• Napier - March »
  On the last day of March, in Napier sunrise is at 7:26 am and sunset at 7:06 pm NZDT. In Napier in March, the average water temperature is 19.3°C (66.7°F).
• Dunedin - March »
  January through March, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 4, are months with the highest UV index in Dunedin. January through March, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 4, are months with the highest UV index in Dunedin.
• Palmerston North - March »
  The month with the least rainfall in Palmerston North is March, when the rain falls for 7.7 days and typically collects 52mm (2.05") of precipitation. In Palmerston North during March, the rain falls for 7.7 days and regularly aggregates up to 52mm (2.05") of precipitation.
• Nelson - March »
  February and March, with an average sea temperature of 19°C (66.2°F), are months with the warmest seawater in Nelson, New Zealand. In Nelson in March, the average water temperature is 19°C (66.2°F).
• Rotorua - March »
  As Rotorua welcomes March, the average high-temperature stabilizes at a still pleasant 20.7°C (69.3°F), showing little deviation from February's 22.7°C (72.9°F). In Rotorua, during March, the rain falls for 13.7 days and regularly aggregates up to 46mm (1.81") of precipitation.
• New Plymouth - March »
  February and March, with an average sea temperature of 19°C (66.2°F), are months with the warmest seawater in New Plymouth. February and March, with an average sea temperature of 19°C (66.2°F), are months with the warmest seawater in New Plymouth.
• Whangarei - March »
  On the first day of March in Whangarei sunrise is at 7:09 am and sunset at 8:00 pm. Whangarei, New Zealand, experiences an average high-temperature of a still agreeable 21.5°C (70.7°F) in March, marking an insignificant shift from 22.8°C (73°F) in February.