Weather in Kerala in December

How December compares

December is the 6th warmest month of the year in Kerala and ranks 10th of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Within India it is 2nd of 2 (India in December). Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Kerala is 21.5°C warmer by day and 20.7°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Kerala peaks at 29.2°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 30.5°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 5 pass 30°C. Nights average 23.4°C; one night in ten drops to 21.8°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 32.0°C (1991-12-15) and the coldest night 18.6°C (2000-12-14).

Rain in December

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 7 days with 1 mm or more, 50 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 1996 with 175 mm, the driest 2006 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 80%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature in December

The sea averages 28.5°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 28.1°C to 29.1°C. For the warmest sea here, come in April (29.9°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.4 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:34 and sets about 18:06 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 52%.

Is December a good time to visit Kerala?

Yes - it is one of the better months: hot days, manageable rain. The best months for Kerala on our scoring are January, February, March; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Expect heat that lasts into the evening

Pack for hot weather rather than mild winter sunshine. With humidity at 80%, walking around can feel sticky, especially at midday, so keep strenuous plans for earlier or later and leave room for breaks in the shade. Around 22% of days reach 30°C, but the more consistent feature is the warmth after sunset: an average low of 23°C offers limited relief. Light, loose clothing is more useful than heavy layers, and accommodation with cooling is a sensible priority if warm nights affect your sleep. December suits travellers comfortable with sustained warmth; it is less appealing if you want crisp evenings after sunny days.

Leave some flexibility for rain and cloud

Rain is a possibility, not a reason on its own to rule December out. About 6 rainy days means it is sensible to carry a light waterproof and keep outdoor plans flexible, rather than assume every day will stay dry. Sunshine averages 5.4 hours within 11.4 hours of daylight, so expect a mix rather than continuous clear skies. There is still scope for time outdoors, but avoid building the trip around uninterrupted sun. The balance works best for travellers happy to pause or rearrange plans when rain arrives. If your priority is the strongest overall weather rating, January, February and March score better.