Wellington, New Zealand: vitamin D, best months and travel guide
Compact windy capital of cafés and museums. Best for: culture travellers, foodies.
Wellington gives little vitamin D from the sun in any month for skin type III at age 30. Too cool all year.
Wellington month by month
| Month | Rating | Sun window | Peak UV | Full dose, age 30 | Afternoon high | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Too cold | 9.0 h | 8.2 | 7 min | 21°C | 7/30 |
| February | Too cold | 8.5 h | 7.7 | 7 min | 20°C | 5/30 |
| March | Too cold | 6.6 h | 5.9 | 9 min | 18°C | 9/30 |
| April | Too cold | 4.5 h | 4.1 | 13 min | 17°C | 8/30 |
| May | Too cold | 1.7 h | 2.7 | 20 min | 13°C | 10/30 |
| June | Too cold | 0.0 h | 2.0 | – | 13°C | 10/30 |
| July | Too cold | 0.3 h | 2.0 | – | 12°C | 13/30 |
| August | Too cold | 2.9 h | 3.2 | 17 min | 13°C | 15/30 |
| September | Too cold | 5.5 h | 4.7 | 11 min | 14°C | 13/30 |
| October | Too cold | 6.5 h | 5.9 | 9 min | 15°C | 14/30 |
| November | Too cold | 8.2 h | 7.4 | 7 min | 17°C | 8/30 |
| December | Too cold | 8.3 h | 7.8 | 7 min | 18°C | 12/30 |
Sun window is the number of hours a day with UV Index 2.5 or higher. Full dose is the minutes at midday for about 1,000 IU of vitamin D with a quarter of the body bare, for skin type III. Rainy days are days with at least 1 mm out of 30.
What to expect in Wellington
Compact windy capital of cafés and museums. Changeable weather, summer from December to February, and strong UV from the clear air. The sea is only warm in late summer in the north. Driving is on the left.
In Wellington afternoon highs average from 12°C in July to 21°C in January. The wettest month is August (about 15 rainy days out of 30) and the driest is February (5). Midday UV peaks at 8.2 in January, which is very strong, so protect your skin.
The national capital, with the Parliament and Beehive buildings, and the wonderful, free Te Papa museum (Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0)
More about New Zealand · New Zealand in January · Best places in January
Questions about Wellington
When is the best time to visit Wellington for vitamin D?
Wellington gives little vitamin D from the sun in any month for skin type III at age 30.
What is the weather like in Wellington?
Afternoon highs average from 12°C in July to 21°C in January. The wettest month is August, with about 15 rainy days out of 30.
Which months should I avoid in Wellington?
For a beach stay, avoid the months when it is too cool all year.