Monthly climate guide

Auckland in December

Auckland is in early summer during December, with the season well established by this point. It generally feels mild and comfortable, with a fairly even feel across the day. Conditions tend to feel steady, which makes planning simple. Daylight stays generous for longer outdoor plans.

Annual ranking snapshot

Ranked across 12 months

December in context

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

Hottest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#4 / 12

Sits around the middle of the year.

Wettest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#4 / 12

Typical rainfall for the year.

Daylight Hours
LONGEST
#1 / 12

Longest days of the year.

Windiest (avg)
WIND
#6 / 12

Close to the yearly wind average.

Highest UV
UV
#1 / 12

Peak UV levels for the year.

Most Humid
HUMID
#8 / 12

Humidity stays close to the yearly norm.

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

14.6 h

Average daylight

UV index (max)
9
Typical sun hours
05:56 - 20:34

Wet-day pattern

Rain & Snow

Typical rainfall

Rainy days
16 days
Cloud cover (avg)
65%

Air feel

Humidity & Wind

77%

Average humidity

Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Historical daily baseline

Daily climate explorer

Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through December in Auckland. 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.1015202511631°C
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range

Day 15 selected for December. Temperature 20.6°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.

Rain High impact

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 17% of days (5.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

5.4 days / month

Share of days
~17% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~32mm (P95)
Why this matters

Rain disruption risk appears on ~5 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 17% of days (5.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

5.4 days / month

Share of days
~17% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~32mm (P95)
Why this matters

Washout conditions are possible on ~5 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 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 ~82km/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

Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 10% of days (3.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.2 days / month

Share of days
~10% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~40mm (P95)
Why this matters

Heavy rain is 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 6% of days (1.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.9 days / month

Share of days
~6% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~80km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Stormy conditions are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Visibility Moderate

Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 5% of days (1.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.5 days / month

Share of days
~5% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~95% (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.

Show all disruptions (18 more)
Rain High impact

Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. 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 ~51mm (P95)
Why this matters

Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 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 2% of days (0.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.7 days / month

Share of days
~2% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~59mm (P95)
Why this matters

Very heavy rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Wind High impact

Wind disruption Measures: Disruptive wind days. 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 ~85km/h (P95)
Why this matters

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

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 ~87km/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.

Wind High impact

Wind disruption run Measures: Multi-day wind disruption runs. Observed about 0.1 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.1 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~72km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Multi-day disruptive wind runs are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Rain Minor

Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 63% of days (19.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

19.5 days / month

Share of days
~63% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~21mm (P95)
Why this matters

Measurable rain is possible on ~19 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 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 ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Cloudy skies are possible on ~18 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 56% of days (17.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

17.5 days / month

Share of days
~56% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~72km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Gusty conditions are possible on ~17 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Rain Minor

Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 51% of days (15.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

15.9 days / month

Share of days
~51% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~21h (P95)
Why this matters

Several rainy hours are possible on ~16 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 40% of days (12.3 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

12.3 days / month

Share of days
~40% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~92% (P95)
Why this matters

High humidity is possible on ~12 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Rain Minor

Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 36% of days (11.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

11.2 days / month

Share of days
~36% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~22h (P95)
Why this matters

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.

Cloud Minor

Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 34% of days (10.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

10.5 days / month

Share of days
~34% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~10 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 16% of days (4.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

4.9 days / month

Share of days
~16% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~36km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Breezy conditions are possible on ~5 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Cloud Minor

Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 16% of days (4.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

4.8 days / month

Share of days
~16% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Overcast skies are possible on ~5 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 5% of days (1.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.5 days / month

Share of days
~5% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~19°C (P95)
Why this matters

Humid conditions are possible on ~2 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

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 5% of days (1.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.5 days / month

Share of days
~5% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~95 (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.

Humidity Minor

Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 3% of days (1.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.1 days / month

Share of days
~3% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~19°C (P95)
Why this matters

Convective risk signal appears on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Wind Minor

Windy days Measures: Windy days (mean wind >=35 km/h). 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 ~40km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Strong mean winds are possible on ~0 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 Auckland?

Typical December days in Auckland reach highs of 20°C (68°F) with nights around 16°C (61°F). It usually feels mild by day and mild after dark. Overall, December sits in the middle of the Auckland climate range.

What are temperatures like in December?

Daytime temperatures in December typically peak near 20°C (68°F), while nights drop to around 16°C (61°F). Expect mild afternoons and mild evenings.

How much does it rain in December?

Rainfall in December averages 100 mm (3.9 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 15 hours of daylight in December. Sunrise is typically around 05:56 and sunset near 20:34. 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 18 km/h (11 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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