Avg High
Canberra in December
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
14h
What to expect
December in Canberra is early summer, with a settled seasonal pattern already in place. The month is warm and inviting for long walks, with a marked step-down after sunset. Most days feel close to what the averages suggest, with straightforward pacing. There is plenty of daylight to stretch outdoor time.
December in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Canberra.
Hottest (avg)
#3 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#2 / 12
Daylight Hours
#1 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#5 / 12
Highest UV
#2 / 12
Most Humid
#12 / 12
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 14.5 h
- UV index (max)
- 10
- Typical sun hours
- 05:44 - 20:13
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 9 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 48%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 64%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for December. Typical high 24.7°C and low 12.4°C.
Typical disruptions in December
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in December.
Rain High impact
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 11% of days (3.3 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.3 days / month
~11% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.3 days / month
- Probability ~11% of days
- Intensity Up to ~34mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 10% of days (3.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.0 days / month
~10% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.0 days / month
- Probability ~10% of days
- Intensity Up to ~81km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~3 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain High impact
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 10% of days (3.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.0 days / month
~10% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.0 days / month
- Probability ~10% of days
- Intensity Up to ~37mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~72km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Heat Moderate
Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 13% of days (3.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.9 days / month
~13% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.9 days / month
- Probability ~13% of days
- Intensity Up to ~36°C (P95)
Hot days are possible on ~4 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Cold Moderate
Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 7% of days (2.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.2 days / month
~7% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.2 days / month
- Probability ~7% of days
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~2 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Show all disruptions (20 more)
Rain High impact
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 5% of days (1.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.6 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.6 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~44mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 0.6 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.6 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.6 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~42mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.4 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.4 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~69mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~93km/h (P95)
Severe gusts are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Heat Moderate
Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 6% of days (1.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.8 days / month
~6% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.8 days / month
- Probability ~6% of days
- Intensity Up to ~35°C (P95)
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Wind Minor
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 56% of days (17.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
17.5 days / month
~56% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 17.5 days / month
- Probability ~56% of days
- Intensity Up to ~71km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~17 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Cloud Minor
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 42% of days (13.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
13.1 days / month
~42% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 13.1 days / month
- Probability ~42% of days
- Intensity Up to ~99% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~13 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 39% of days (12.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
12.1 days / month
~39% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 12.1 days / month
- Probability ~39% of days
- Intensity Up to ~21mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~12 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 26% of days (8.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.2 days / month
~26% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.2 days / month
- Probability ~26% of days
- Intensity Up to ~18h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~8 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cloud Minor
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 20% of days (6.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
6.2 days / month
~20% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 6.2 days / month
- Probability ~20% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~6 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 15% of days (4.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.5 days / month
~15% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.5 days / month
- Probability ~15% of days
- Intensity Up to ~20h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Humidity Minor
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 10% of days (3.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.1 days / month
~10% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.1 days / month
- Probability ~10% of days
- Intensity Up to ~93% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~3 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Cloud Minor
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 6% of days (1.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.8 days / month
~6% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.8 days / month
- Probability ~6% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Heat Minor
Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 0.6 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.6 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.6 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~35°C (P95)
Heatwave runs are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Visibility Minor
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 1% of days (0.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~97% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Other Minor
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 1% of days (0.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~97 (P95)
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Heat Minor
Very hot days Measures: Very hot days (>=35C). Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.4 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.4 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~39°C (P95)
Very hot days are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Cold Minor
Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.3 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.3 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold nights are possible on ~0 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Heat Minor
Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~38°C (P95)
Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat Minor
Feels-like heatwave Measures: Feels-like heatwave runs (>=3 days). Observed about 0.2 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~35°C (P95)
Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time to visit Canberra?
Typical December days in Canberra reach highs of 25°C (77°F) with nights around 12°C (54°F). It usually feels warm by day and cool after dark. It is among the wetter months, so it is wise to have some indoor backup plans or flexible activities.
What are temperatures like in December?
Daytime temperatures in December typically peak near 25°C (77°F), while nights drop to around 12°C (54°F). Expect warm afternoons and cool evenings.
How much does it rain in December?
Rainfall in December averages 65 mm (2.6 in) across roughly 9 days. Overall it is a quite rainy time of year, so showers are usually brief rather than all-day downpours.
How many hours of daylight are there in December?
You can expect about 14 hours of daylight in December. Sunrise is typically around 05:44 and sunset near 20:13. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.
How strong is the sun in December?
UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 10), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.
Is it windy in December?
In December, average wind speeds are around 12 km/h (7 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 57 km/h (35 mph). On the ground, it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.