When to go · Nelson
Nelson in May
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Nov–Apr). Across New Zealand: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) / 6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 10
- Crowds
- Low
- New Zealand overall
- Prices
- Low
- New Zealand overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Nov–Apr). Across New Zealand: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in May
- NelsonHighs around 16 °C (61 °F), lows around 6 °C (43 °F), rain on about 10 daysHighs around 61 °F (16 °C), lows around 43 °F (6 °C), rain on about 10 days
- Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson, New Zealand · Wellington, Picton, Nelson, Abel Tasmanfine
Nelson and Blenheim are the sunniest towns in the country; Wellington's wind and Cook Strait swell can cancel ferries.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · New Zealand overall
- Low
- Prices · New Zealand overall
- Low
New Zealand overall: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Nelson, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
Jan: 23 °C (73 °F)73 °F (23 °C)
Night low
May: 6 °C (43 °F)43 °F (6 °C)
Jan: 13 °C (55 °F)55 °F (13 °C)
Rain days
May: 10
Jan: 7 (better)
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: High
Prices
May: Low
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 2
May: Outside the best window (Nov–Apr). Across New Zealand: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.
January: Inside Nelson's best window: Nov–Apr.
Nelson: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm layer for the evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast