February in Kapiti: Again one of Warmest places in Central NZ

We were only a couple of clicks behind the traditionally warmer eastern regions of Wairarapa and Marlborough, and ahead of Nelson.

Our daily average maximum temperature was 24.6C, recorded in Paraparaumu, but it was only very slightly cooler to the north, where there was noticeably more cloud. This was 1.3C degrees above average and the warmest February in 14 years, and compares with 22.6C in 2024. But, our overall mean temperature of 19.6C was the warmest in Central NZ.

January’s dry weather continued through February with only a few brief ‘showers’ in the third week amounting to 11 mm at the airport, similar in Otaki, but slightly more in Waikanae. This was the lowest rainfall for February in a decade. The historic average is around 60mm.

With it also being the sunniest February in at least 15 year, having the equivalent of 22.5 sunny days, February must rate as the almost perfect summer month ⎯ a pity most were in school or at work.

March, as usual, with a longtime average of almost 22C, will again likely qualify as an extra summer month in Kāpiti.

Photo: The end of another fine February day.

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