Climate
Palmerston North's climate is temperate with maximum daytime temperatures averaging 22 °C (72 °F) in summer and 12 °C (54 °F) in winter. On average temperatures rise above 25 °C (77 °F) on 20 days of the year. Annual rainfall is approximately 960 mm (37.8 in) with rain occurring approximately 5% of the time. There are on average 200 rain-free days each year.
In the ranges that flank the city there is often sustained wind, especially in spring. Much of this land is within the city boundaries and these ranges have the reputation of providing the most consistent wind in the country.
Close to the city is the largest electricity-generating wind farm in the southern hemisphere, with 158 turbines in the Tararua and Ruahine Ranges providing power for approximately 30,000 homes.
| Climate data for Palmerston North | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 22.4 (72.3) |
22.9 (73.2) |
21.1 (70.0) |
18.4 (65.1) |
15.3 (59.5) |
13.1 (55.6) |
12.6 (54.7) |
13.3 (55.9) |
14.9 (58.8) |
16.7 (62.1) |
18.5 (65.3) |
20.7 (69.3) |
17.5 (63.5) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 13.4 (56.1) |
13.5 (56.3) |
12.1 (53.8) |
9.8 (49.6) |
7.4 (45.3) |
5.4 (41.7) |
4.7 (40.5) |
5.4 (41.7) |
7.2 (45.0) |
8.7 (47.7) |
10.2 (50.4) |
12 (54) |
9.1 (48.4) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 65 (2.56) |
62 (2.44) |
74 (2.91) |
76 (2.99) |
94 (3.7) |
87 (3.43) |
94 (3.7) |
82 (3.23) |
83 (3.27) |
90 (3.54) |
78 (3.07) |
83 (3.27) |
966 (38.03) |
| Source: NIWA Climate Data | |||||||||||||
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—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
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—Administration in the State of Colo, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
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—Walter Lippmann (1889–1974)