Gold Coast in December
What to expect
Gold Coast is in early summer during December, with the season well established by this point. It leans warmly comfortable through the day, with a fairly even feel across the day. Daylight stays generous for longer outdoor plans. Conditions tend to feel steady, which makes planning simple.
December in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Gold Coast.
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 13.9 h
- UV index (max)
- 10
- Typical sun hours
- 04:45 - 18:37
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 16 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 53%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 76%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for December. Typical high 26.4°C and low 21.1°C.
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 33% of days (10.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
10.4 days / month
~33% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 10.4 days / month
- Probability ~33% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23°C (P95)
Muggy conditions are possible on ~10 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 24% of days (7.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.4 days / month
~24% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.4 days / month
- Probability ~24% of days
- Intensity Up to ~37°C (P95)
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~7 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 18% of days (5.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.7 days / month
~18% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.7 days / month
- Probability ~18% of days
- Intensity Up to ~41mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~6 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 17% of days (5.3 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.3 days / month
~17% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.3 days / month
- Probability ~17% of days
- Intensity Up to ~42mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~5 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 12% of days (3.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.7 days / month
~12% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.7 days / month
- Probability ~12% of days
- Intensity Up to ~43mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). Observed about 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.5 days / month
~8% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.5 days / month
- Probability ~8% of days
- Intensity Up to ~38°C (P95)
Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~3 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Show all disruptions (23 more)
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 4% of days (1.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.1 days / month
~4% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.1 days / month
- Probability ~4% of days
- Intensity Up to ~86mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~1 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 1.0 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.0 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.0 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~41mm (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.
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). 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 ~81km/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.
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. 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 ~83km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~0 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 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 ~91mm (P95)
Extreme rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 8% of days (2.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.6 days / month
~8% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.6 days / month
- Probability ~8% of days
- Intensity Up to ~34°C (P95)
Hot days are possible on ~3 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat stress risk Measures: High heat stress days. Observed about 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.5 days / month
~8% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.5 days / month
- Probability ~8% of days
- Intensity Up to ~38°C (P95)
Heat stress is possible on ~3 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 1.1 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.1 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.1 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~36°C (P95)
Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 63% of days (19.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
19.4 days / month
~63% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 19.4 days / month
- Probability ~63% of days
- Intensity Up to ~26mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~19 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 61% of days (18.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
18.9 days / month
~61% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 18.9 days / month
- Probability ~61% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23°C (P95)
Humid conditions are possible on ~19 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 48% of days (14.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
14.9 days / month
~48% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 14.9 days / month
- Probability ~48% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~15 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 45% of days (14.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
14.1 days / month
~45% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 14.1 days / month
- Probability ~45% of days
- Intensity Up to ~62km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~14 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). 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 ~99% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~13 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 34% of days (10.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
10.6 days / month
~34% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 10.6 days / month
- Probability ~34% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~11 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 34% of days (10.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
10.5 days / month
~34% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 10.5 days / month
- Probability ~34% of days
- Intensity Up to ~91% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~10 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 23% of days (7.3 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.3 days / month
~23% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.3 days / month
- Probability ~23% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~7 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Warm nights Measures: Warm nights (min >=22C). 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 ~24°C (P95)
Warm nights are possible on ~7 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 16% of days (5.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.0 days / month
~16% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.0 days / month
- Probability ~16% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23°C (P95)
Convective risk signal appears on ~5 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 8% of days (2.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.6 days / month
~8% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.6 days / month
- Probability ~8% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
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 ~94% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
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 ~94 (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.
Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). 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 ~32km/h (P95)
Breezy conditions are possible on ~0 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 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 ~33°C (P95)
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 Gold Coast?
Typical December days in Gold Coast reach highs of 26°C (79°F) with nights around 21°C (70°F). It usually feels warm by day and mild after dark. Overall, December sits in the middle of the Gold Coast climate range.
What are temperatures like in December?
Daytime temperatures in December typically peak near 26°C (79°F), while nights drop to around 21°C (70°F). Expect warm afternoons and mild evenings.
How much does it rain in December?
Rainfall in December averages 108 mm (4.3 in) across roughly 16 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 14 hours of daylight in December. Sunrise is typically around 04:45 and sunset near 18:37. 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 13 km/h (8 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 53 km/h (33 mph). On the ground, it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.