Avg High
Christchurch in December
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
15h
What to expect
Christchurch is in early summer during December, with the season well established by this point. It generally feels mild and comfortable, 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.
December in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Christchurch.
Hottest (avg)
#3 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#3 / 12
Daylight Hours
#1 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#1 / 12
Highest UV
#1 / 12
Most Humid
#12 / 12
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 15.4 h
- UV index (max)
- 9
- Typical sun hours
- 05:43 - 21:04
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 13 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 64%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 69%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for December. Typical high 19.8°C and low 12.1°C.
Typical disruptions in December
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in December.
Rain High impact
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 11% of days (3.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.5 days / month
~11% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.5 days / month
- Probability ~11% of days
- Intensity Up to ~25mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~4 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 9% of days (2.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.7 days / month
~9% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.7 days / month
- Probability ~9% of days
- Intensity Up to ~82km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~3 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wind High impact
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 3% of days (0.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.8 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.8 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~77km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain Moderate
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. 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 ~25mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cold Moderate
Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). 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 ~5°C (P95)
Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~2 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Show all disruptions (15 more)
Rain High impact
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 5% of days (1.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.6 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.6 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~39mm (P95)
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 0.6 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.6 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.6 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~26mm (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.
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.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~57mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is 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 (0.2 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 ~92km/h (P95)
Severe gusts are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wind Minor
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 67% of days (20.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
20.6 days / month
~67% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 20.6 days / month
- Probability ~67% of days
- Intensity Up to ~68km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~21 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 60% of days (18.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
18.7 days / month
~60% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 18.7 days / month
- Probability ~60% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~19 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 51% of days (15.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
15.9 days / month
~51% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 15.9 days / month
- Probability ~51% of days
- Intensity Up to ~14mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~16 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 38% of days (11.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.7 days / month
~38% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.7 days / month
- Probability ~38% of days
- Intensity Up to ~18h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~12 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 35% of days (10.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
10.7 days / month
~35% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 10.7 days / month
- Probability ~35% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~11 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 24% of days (7.3 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.3 days / month
~24% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.3 days / month
- Probability ~24% of days
- Intensity Up to ~21h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~7 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cloud Minor
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 15% of days (4.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.7 days / month
~15% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.7 days / month
- Probability ~15% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~5 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humidity Minor
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 15% of days (4.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.7 days / month
~15% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.7 days / month
- Probability ~15% of days
- Intensity Up to ~90% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~5 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Wind Minor
Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). 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 ~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.
Visibility Minor
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. 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 ~95% (P95)
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 (0.3 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 ~95 (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.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time to visit Christchurch?
Typical December days in Christchurch reach highs of 20°C (68°F) with nights around 11°C (52°F). It usually feels mild by day and cool 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 20°C (68°F), while nights drop to around 11°C (52°F). Expect mild afternoons and cool evenings.
How much does it rain in December?
Rainfall in December averages 58 mm (2.3 in) across roughly 13 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 05:43 and sunset near 21:04. Very long days give you plenty of daylight for exploring.
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 15 km/h (9 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 60 km/h (37 mph). On the ground, it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.