<P> Snow falls in New Zealand's South Island and at higher altitudes in the North Island . It is extremely rare at sea level in the North Island . It is also extremely rare in Auckland and Wellington with one snowfall each in 2011 after nearly 40 years where none occurred . Snow is more common inland in both main islands, though snow to sea level does occur on average once or twice per year in the central and southern South Island . </P> <P> As with many islands in the world, the influence of the ocean curtails any extremes in coastal temperature . The greater temperature ranges are found in the interior of the Canterbury and Southland regions, and especially Central Otago . Central Otago and inland Canterbury's Mackenzie Basin have the closest New Zealand has to continental climates, being generally drier (due in part to föhn winds) and less directly modified by the ocean . These areas can experience summer temperatures in the low 30s ° C (high 80s / low 90s ° F) and snow and severe frosts in winter, the latter exacerbated by hoar frosts in the river valleys and basins . </P> <P> Many parts of the country, especially in the upper North Island, have high humidity all year round, which can have the effect of it feeling warmer in summer and cooler in winter than the thermometer indicates . </P> <P> Mean annual temperatures range from 10 ° C (50 ° F) in the south to 16 ° C (61 ° F) in the north . The coldest month is usually July and the warmest month is usually January or February . Generally there are relatively small variations between summer and winter temperatures . An example of this is Auckland which has a variation of just 9 ° C or 16 ° F between the average mid-winter high temperature (14.7 ° C or 58.5 ° F) and average mid-summer high temperature (23.7 ° C or 74.7 ° F). Temperature variation throughout the day is also relatively small . The exception to this is inland areas and to the east of the ranges with daily variations that can be over 25 ° C and differences of up to 14 ° C between the average summer and winter high temperatures . Temperatures also drop about 0.7 ° C or 1.3 ° F for every 100 m of altitude . </P>

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