Sits around the middle of the year.
December in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Darwin.
Among the wetter months.
Longest days of the year.
Close to the yearly wind average.
Near the middle of the yearly UV range.
Humidity stays close to the yearly norm.
Monthly climate breakdown
A detailed look at the typical climate conditions for December.
Thermal profile
Temperature
Typical daytime high
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Light window
Sunshine
12.8 h
Average daylight
- UV index (max)
- 10
- Typical sun hours
- 06:16 - 19:07
Wet-day pattern
Rain & Snow
Typical rainfall
- Rainy days
- 28 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 81%
Air feel
Humidity & Wind
82%
Average humidity
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Historical daily baseline
Daily climate explorer
Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through December in Darwin. Based on a 30-year historical climate baseline, not a forecast.
Primary control
Select a day
Scroll to compare daily conditions. The summary updates with your selection.
Secondary context
Monthly trend
Median daytime highs across the month, with a softer low line.
Day 15 selected for December. Temperature 31.2°C.
Historical disruption baseline
Typical disruptions in December
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in December.
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.
Likely frequency
31.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~100% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~25°C (P95)
Why this matters
Muggy conditions are possible on ~31 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
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.
Likely frequency
29.9 days / month
- Share of days
- ~97% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~41°C (P95)
Why this matters
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~30 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
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.
Likely frequency
26.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~85% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~25°C (P95)
Why this matters
Oppressive humidity is possible on ~26 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
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.
Likely frequency
25.9 days / month
- Share of days
- ~84% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~41°C (P95)
Why this matters
Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~26 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
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.
Likely frequency
25.9 days / month
- Share of days
- ~84% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~41°C (P95)
Why this matters
Heat stress is possible on ~26 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
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.
Likely frequency
25.1 days / month
- Share of days
- ~81% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~34°C (P95)
Why this matters
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 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.
Likely frequency
17.8 days / month
- Share of days
- ~58% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~46mm (P95)
Why this matters
Rain disruption risk appears on ~18 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
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.
Likely frequency
16.9 days / month
- Share of days
- ~54% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~46mm (P95)
Why this matters
Washout conditions are possible on ~17 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
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.
Likely frequency
12.5 days / month
- Share of days
- ~40% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~57mm (P95)
Why this matters
Heavy rain is possible on ~13 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
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.
Likely frequency
3.1 days / month
- Share of days
- ~10% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~78mm (P95)
Why this matters
Very heavy rain is possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
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.
Likely frequency
3.1 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~38mm (P95)
Why this matters
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
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.
Likely frequency
1.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~3% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~81km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
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.
Likely frequency
0.8 days / month
- Share of days
- ~2% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~107mm (P95)
Why this matters
Extreme rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
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.
Likely frequency
0.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~2% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~82km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Strong gusts are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
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.
Likely frequency
2.0 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~34°C (P95)
Why this matters
Heatwave runs are possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
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.
Likely frequency
1.4 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~41°C (P95)
Why this matters
Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
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.
Likely frequency
1.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~4% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~93% (P95)
Why this matters
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
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.
Likely frequency
31.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~100% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~28°C (P95)
Why this matters
Warm nights are possible on ~31 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
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.
Likely frequency
31.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~100% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~25°C (P95)
Why this matters
Humid conditions are possible on ~31 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
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.
Likely frequency
29.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~94% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~36mm (P95)
Why this matters
Measurable rain is possible on ~29 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
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.
Likely frequency
25.9 days / month
- Share of days
- ~83% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters
Cloudy skies are possible on ~26 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
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.
Likely frequency
25.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~83% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~23h (P95)
Why this matters
Several rainy hours are possible on ~26 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
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.
Likely frequency
25.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~83% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~28°C (P95)
Why this matters
Hot nights are possible on ~26 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
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.
Likely frequency
20.8 days / month
- Share of days
- ~67% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~24h (P95)
Why this matters
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.
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.
Likely frequency
19.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~63% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~20 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
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.
Likely frequency
17.8 days / month
- Share of days
- ~58% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~25°C (P95)
Why this matters
Convective risk signal appears on ~18 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
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.
Likely frequency
16.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~52% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~90% (P95)
Why this matters
High humidity is possible on ~16 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
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.
Likely frequency
11.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~37% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters
Overcast skies are possible on ~12 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
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.
Likely frequency
7.1 days / month
- Share of days
- ~23% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~67km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Gusty conditions are possible on ~7 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
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.
Likely frequency
1.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~4% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~93 (P95)
Why this matters
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.
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.
Likely frequency
0.5 days / month
- Share of days
- ~2% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~38km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Breezy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Travel planning FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.
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.