Avg High
Darwin in December
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
13h
What to expect
Darwin is in early summer during December, with the season well established by this point. Afternoons often feel hot in direct sun, with a fairly even feel across the day. Conditions tend to feel steady, which makes planning simple. You get a comfortable daylight window for day trips and sightseeing.
December in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Darwin.
Hottest (avg)
#7 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#3 / 12
Daylight Hours
#1 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#6 / 12
Highest UV
#4 / 12
Most Humid
#4 / 12
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 12.8 h
- UV index (max)
- 10
- Typical sun hours
- 06:16 - 19:07
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 28 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 81%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 82%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for December. Typical high 31.2°C and low 25.9°C.
Typical disruptions in December
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in December.
Humidity High impact
Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
31.0 days / month
~100% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 31.0 days / month
- Probability ~100% of days
- Intensity Up to ~25°C (P95)
Muggy conditions are possible on ~31 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Heat High impact
Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 97% of days (29.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
29.9 days / month
~97% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 29.9 days / month
- Probability ~97% of days
- Intensity Up to ~41°C (P95)
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~30 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Humidity High impact
Oppressive humidity Measures: Oppressive humidity days (dew point >=24C). Observed about 85% of days (26.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
26.2 days / month
~85% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 26.2 days / month
- Probability ~85% of days
- Intensity Up to ~25°C (P95)
Oppressive humidity is possible on ~26 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Heat High impact
Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). Observed about 84% of days (25.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
25.9 days / month
~84% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 25.9 days / month
- Probability ~84% of days
- Intensity Up to ~41°C (P95)
Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~26 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat High impact
Heat stress risk Measures: High heat stress days. Observed about 84% of days (25.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
25.9 days / month
~84% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 25.9 days / month
- Probability ~84% of days
- Intensity Up to ~41°C (P95)
Heat stress is possible on ~26 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat High impact
Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 81% of days (25.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
25.1 days / month
~81% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 25.1 days / month
- Probability ~81% of days
- Intensity Up to ~34°C (P95)
Hot days are possible on ~25 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Show all disruptions (25 more)
Rain High impact
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 58% of days (17.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
17.8 days / month
~58% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 17.8 days / month
- Probability ~58% of days
- Intensity Up to ~46mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~18 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 54% of days (16.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
16.9 days / month
~54% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 16.9 days / month
- Probability ~54% of days
- Intensity Up to ~46mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~17 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 40% of days (12.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
12.5 days / month
~40% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 12.5 days / month
- Probability ~40% of days
- Intensity Up to ~57mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~13 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 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 ~78mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~3 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 3.1 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.1 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.1 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~38mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs 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 3% of days (1.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.0 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.0 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~81km/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.
Rain High impact
Extreme rain Measures: Extreme rain days (>=50mm). Observed about 2% of days (0.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.8 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.8 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~107mm (P95)
Extreme rain is possible on ~1 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 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.6 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.6 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~82km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Heat Moderate
Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 2.0 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.0 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.0 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~34°C (P95)
Heatwave runs are possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat Moderate
Feels-like heatwave Measures: Feels-like heatwave runs (>=3 days). Observed about 1.4 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.4 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.4 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~41°C (P95)
Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Visibility Moderate
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 4% of days (1.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.2 days / month
~4% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.2 days / month
- Probability ~4% of days
- Intensity Up to ~93% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Heat Minor
Warm nights Measures: Warm nights (min >=22C). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
31.0 days / month
~100% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 31.0 days / month
- Probability ~100% of days
- Intensity Up to ~28°C (P95)
Warm nights are possible on ~31 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humidity Minor
Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
31.0 days / month
~100% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 31.0 days / month
- Probability ~100% of days
- Intensity Up to ~25°C (P95)
Humid conditions are possible on ~31 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Rain Minor
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 94% of days (29.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
29.2 days / month
~94% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 29.2 days / month
- Probability ~94% of days
- Intensity Up to ~36mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~29 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cloud Minor
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 83% of days (25.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
25.9 days / month
~83% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 25.9 days / month
- Probability ~83% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~26 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 83% of days (25.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
25.7 days / month
~83% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 25.7 days / month
- Probability ~83% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~26 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Heat Minor
Hot nights Measures: Hot nights (min >=25C). Observed about 83% of days (25.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
25.6 days / month
~83% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 25.6 days / month
- Probability ~83% of days
- Intensity Up to ~28°C (P95)
Hot nights are possible on ~26 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Rain Minor
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 67% of days (20.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
20.8 days / month
~67% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 20.8 days / month
- Probability ~67% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~21 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 63% of days (19.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
19.6 days / month
~63% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 19.6 days / month
- Probability ~63% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~20 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humidity Minor
Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 58% of days (17.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
17.8 days / month
~58% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 17.8 days / month
- Probability ~58% of days
- Intensity Up to ~25°C (P95)
Convective risk signal appears on ~18 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humidity Minor
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 52% of days (16.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
16.2 days / month
~52% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 16.2 days / month
- Probability ~52% of days
- Intensity Up to ~90% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~16 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 37% of days (11.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.6 days / month
~37% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.6 days / month
- Probability ~37% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~12 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind Minor
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 23% of days (7.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.1 days / month
~23% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.1 days / month
- Probability ~23% of days
- Intensity Up to ~67km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~7 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
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 4% of days (1.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.2 days / month
~4% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.2 days / month
- Probability ~4% of days
- Intensity Up to ~93 (P95)
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind Minor
Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). 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 ~38km/h (P95)
Breezy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time to visit Darwin?
Typical December days in Darwin reach highs of 31°C (88°F) with nights around 26°C (79°F). It usually feels hot by day and warm 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 31°C (88°F), while nights drop to around 26°C (79°F). Expect hot afternoons and warm evenings.
How much does it rain in December?
Rainfall in December averages 346 mm (13.6 in) across roughly 28 days. Overall it is a very wet time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.
How many hours of daylight are there in December?
You can expect about 13 hours of daylight in December. Sunrise is typically around 06:16 and sunset near 19:07. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.
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 9 km/h (6 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 44 km/h (27 mph). On the ground, it is it often feels breezy, especially in more exposed spots or along the coast.