Weather in Auckland in December

How December compares

December is the 4th warmest month of the year in Auckland. Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Auckland is 12.6°C warmer by day and 12.4°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Auckland peaks at 20.3°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 22.5°C or more. Roughly 1 in 1000 days top 25°C. Nights average 15.1°C; one night in ten drops to 12.6°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 25.6°C (2010-12-15) and the coldest night 9.5°C (2006-12-10).

Rain in December

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 11 days with 1 mm or more, 93 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 2011 with 179 mm, the driest 1994 with 11 mm. Humidity averages 77%.

Sea temperature in December

The sea averages 18.9°C - bracing (18-22°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 17.7°C to 20.0°C. For the warmest sea here, come in February (21.2°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.2 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 14.5 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:56 and sets about 20:36 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 64%.

Is December a good time to visit Auckland?

December is not the strongest month here: warm days and frequent rain. The best months for Auckland on our scoring are February, January, March.

Comfortable warmth, with a layer for evenings

Auckland’s December warmth suits travellers who prefer being outdoors without intense heat. The average daytime high is 20.3°C, compared with London’s 7.7°C, so the difference should feel substantial coming from the UK. Even the warmer days are generally moderate: the warmest 10% reach 22.5°C or more. Light clothing is a sensible starting point for daytime plans, but pack a jumper or light jacket rather than relying entirely on summer clothes. Nights average 15.1°C, with the coldest 10% falling to 12.6°C or below. That makes an extra layer useful if you expect to stay out after dark.

Long days, but leave room for rain

The useful feature of December is its 14.5 hours of daylight, giving you plenty of scope to adjust outdoor plans. The limitation is sunshine: about 5.2 hours a day means you should not picture consistently clear skies. With about 11 rainy days, a lightweight waterproof belongs in your luggage, and it helps to keep weather-dependent plans movable. That does not make December a poor choice, but it does make it less suitable if your holiday depends on sitting in the sun every day. Use the long daylight window to take advantage of brighter spells rather than committing every outdoor activity to a fixed time.

The sea is cooler than the summer label suggests

Sea swimming is the main reason to temper expectations. The average water temperature is 18.9°C, which is bracing rather than comfortably warm; the year-to-year range of 18°C to 20°C does not change that judgement much. If you enjoy cooler water, swimming may still appeal, but a wetsuit is a sensible consideration for longer sessions. If warm-water swimming is central to your holiday, December is a weaker fit. Think of Auckland then as a destination for mild days outdoors with swimming as an optional extra, rather than choosing it primarily for long, relaxed spells in the sea.