One of the warmer months.
December in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Melbourne.
Typical rainfall for the year.
Longest days of the year.
Close to the yearly wind average.
Peak UV levels for the year.
One of the less humid months.
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
Median daytime highs across the month, with a softer low line.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.