Monthly climate guide

Melbourne in December

Melbourne is in early summer during December, with the season well established by this point. It tends to be warmly comfortable through the day, and a gentle drop-off once the sun goes down. Daylight stays generous for longer outdoor plans. Conditions tend to feel steady, which makes planning simple.

Annual ranking snapshot

Ranked across 12 months

December in context

How it compares to the rest of the year in Melbourne.

Hottest (avg)
WARMER
#3 / 12

One of the warmer months.

Wettest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#4 / 12

Typical rainfall for the year.

Daylight Hours
LONGEST
#1 / 12

Longest days of the year.

Windiest (avg)
WIND
#7 / 12

Close to the yearly wind average.

Highest UV
UV
#1 / 12

Peak UV levels for the year.

Most Humid
HUMID
#11 / 12

One of the less humid months.

Climate normals

Four planning pillars

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

14.7 h

Average daylight

UV index (max)
9
Typical sun hours
05:53 - 20:37

Wet-day pattern

Rain & Snow

Typical rainfall

Rainy days
11 days
Cloud cover (avg)
56%

Air feel

Humidity & Wind

65%

Average humidity

Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Historical daily baseline

Daily climate explorer

Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through December in Melbourne. 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

Day 15 selected

Median daytime highs across the month, with a softer low line.

Daily climate explorer for DecemberMonthly trend chart for the selected climate metric, with the chosen day marked.01020304011631°C
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range

Day 15 selected for December. Temperature 23.1°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.

Wind High impact

Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 11% of days (3.3 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.3 days / month

Share of days
~11% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~81km/h (P95)
Why this matters

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.

Likely frequency

3.0 days / month

Share of days
~10% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~30mm (P95)
Why this matters

Washout conditions are possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Heat High impact

Very hot days Measures: Very hot days (>=35C). Observed about 4% of days (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
~4% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~41°C (P95)
Why this matters

Very hot days are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Heat High impact

Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). 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 ~40°C (P95)
Why this matters

Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

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.

Likely frequency

1.0 days / month

Share of days
~3% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~78km/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.

Heat Moderate

Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 16% of days (5.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

5.0 days / month

Share of days
~16% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~39°C (P95)
Why this matters

Hot days are possible on ~5 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Show all disruptions (22 more)
Rain High impact

Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 6% of days (1.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.7 days / month

Share of days
~6% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~31mm (P95)
Why this matters

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 0.5 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.5 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~38mm (P95)
Why this matters

Multi-day washout runs are 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 (0.3 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.3 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~89km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Severe gusts are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Rain High impact

Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.2 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~39mm (P95)
Why this matters

Very heavy rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Heat High impact

Extreme heat days Measures: Extreme heat days (>=40C). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.2 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~43°C (P95)
Why this matters

Extreme heat is possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Rain Moderate

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 11% of days (3.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.5 days / month

Share of days
~11% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~29mm (P95)
Why this matters

Rain disruption risk appears on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Heat Moderate

Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 11% of days (3.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.4 days / month

Share of days
~11% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~39°C (P95)
Why this matters

Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~3 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 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.4 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~5°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~0 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Wind Minor

Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 65% of days (20.3 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

20.3 days / month

Share of days
~65% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~70km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Gusty conditions are possible on ~20 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 48% of days (15.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

15.0 days / month

Share of days
~48% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~99% (P95)
Why this matters

Cloudy skies are possible on ~15 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 43% of days (13.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

13.4 days / month

Share of days
~43% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~19mm (P95)
Why this matters

Measurable rain is possible on ~13 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 31% of days (9.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

9.7 days / month

Share of days
~31% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~18h (P95)
Why this matters

Several rainy hours are possible on ~10 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 22% of days (6.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

6.9 days / month

Share of days
~22% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~7 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 18% of days (5.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

5.6 days / month

Share of days
~18% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~20h (P95)
Why this matters

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~6 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 7% of days (2.3 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.3 days / month

Share of days
~7% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~91% (P95)
Why this matters

High humidity is possible on ~2 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 7% of days (2.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.1 days / month

Share of days
~7% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Overcast skies are possible on ~2 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.

Likely frequency

0.5 days / month

Share of days
~2% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~28km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Breezy conditions are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Heat Minor

Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 0.3 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.3 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~42°C (P95)
Why this matters

Heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Humidity Minor

Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.2 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~21°C (P95)
Why this matters

Humid conditions are possible on ~0 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

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.

Likely frequency

0.2 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~38°C (P95)
Why this matters

Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~0 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 (0.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.2 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~94% (P95)
Why this matters

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 (0.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.2 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~94 (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 ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Travel planning FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.

Is December a good time to visit Melbourne?

Typical December days in Melbourne reach highs of 24°C (75°F) with nights around 13°C (55°F). It usually feels warm by day and cool after dark. Overall, December sits in the middle of the Melbourne climate range.

What are temperatures like in December?

In December, you can usually expect highs of 24°C (75°F) and lows near 13°C (55°F). That means warm days and cool nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.

How much does it rain in December?

Rainfall in December averages 56 mm (2.2 in) across roughly 11 days. Overall it is a quite rainy 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 15 hours of daylight in December. Sunrise is typically around 05:53 and sunset near 20:37. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.

How strong is the sun in December?

UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 9), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.

Is it windy in December?

In December, average wind speeds are around 14 km/h (9 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 61 km/h (38 mph). On the ground, it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.

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