#1Hot
Dubai
- Day
- 26.2°C
- Sea
- 24.4°C
- Sun
- 7.8h
- Rain days
- 1
Your December weather guide
Weather in United Arab Emirates in December
December is a good month to visit the United Arab Emirates if you want warm days without making intense heat the focus of your holiday. Average daytime temperatures of 26°C suit time outdoors, while nights around 17°C call for a light layer. The sea averages 24°C, so swimming is a reasonable part of the plan. The catch is that warmth is not constant: evenings feel cooler, and beach weather does not mean hot weather from morning to night.
Long-term climate averages, not a forecast · 1991-2020
- Average daytime high
- 25.8°Cacross 2 destinations
- Average night-time low
- 16.6°Cafter dark
- Sea temperature
- 24.0°Cwarm enough to swim
- Rainy days
- 1days1 mm or more
United Arab Emirates, month by month
Turn up the warmth
Warmest places in United Arab Emirates in December
Ranked by average daytime high. The full comparison is in the table below.
#2Hot
Abu Dhabi
- Day
- 25.3°C
- Sea
- 23.7°C
- Sun
- 7.7h
- Rain days
- 1
United Arab Emirates destinations ranked for December
All 2 places we track in United Arab Emirates, ordered by daytime high.
December climate overview
Daytime highs across United Arab Emirates in December run from 25.3°C (Abu Dhabi) to 26.2°C (Dubai). In Dubai about 68% of December days reach 25°C. Nights average 16.6°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Abu Dhabi fall to 15°C or below.
Rainfall in December
Expect around 1 rainy days (1 mm or more) in December, with Abu Dhabi the driest (1 days) and Dubai the wettest (1 days). The wettest December at Dubai between 1991 and 2020 was 2006 with 58 mm; the driest was 1999 with 0 mm.
Sea temperature
The sea averages 24.0°C around United Arab Emirates in December - warmest at Dubai (24.4°C). That is comfortable for swimming.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 7.8 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 10.4 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).
December against the rest of the year in United Arab Emirates
December is the 10th warmest month of the twelve in United Arab Emirates. It is 4.4°C cooler than November and 2.1°C cooler in January. The hottest month here is August (41°C) and the coolest January (24°C).
Which part of United Arab Emirates in December?
- Most sunshine: Dubai, 7.8 h a day.
- Driest: Abu Dhabi, about 1 rainy days.
- Warmest sea: Dubai, 24°C.
- Hottest: Dubai, 26°C by day.
- Coolest (better for walking and cities): Abu Dhabi, 25°C.
What to pack for United Arab Emirates in December
Based on the averages: summer clothes for the day; a light jumper for evenings (17°C at night); swimwear - the sea is 24°C.
Similar weather elsewhere in December
Within 1.5°C of United Arab Emirates's December daytime average: Grenada (27°C, sea 28°C), Seychelles (27°C, sea 28°C), Chiang Mai (27°C), Antigua (27°C, sea 27°C), Punta Cana (27°C, sea 27°C). See the full ranking for December.
Dubai or Abu Dhabi: a small difference in warmth
Dubai is the warmer choice by day, averaging 26°C against Abu Dhabi's 25°C, but the difference is too small to make weather the deciding factor. Dubai has the cooler nights at 16°C, while Abu Dhabi averages 18°C, giving it a slight advantage if you prefer milder evenings outdoors. Both have sea temperatures of 24°C and average 1 rainy day, so neither has a clear edge for swimming or avoiding rain. Choose Dubai if daytime warmth matters most; choose Abu Dhabi if evening comfort carries more weight. For most travellers, either offers a similar balance of warm afternoons and cooler nights.
What to pack and how to plan your days
Pack light clothing for daytime, plus a jumper or light jacket for evenings rather than assuming summer clothing will cover the whole trip. With 7.8 hours of sunshine on average, sunglasses, sunscreen and some shade breaks belong in your plans. Midday is the time to be more mindful of warmth; cooler evenings suit those who find daytime conditions a little warm. The country averages 1 rainy day in December, so rain is unlikely to dominate a holiday, though it cannot be ruled out. Keep outdoor plans flexible rather than treating the averages as a daily forecast. This month suits travellers who value outdoor comfort more than very hot beach weather.
A little more detail
United Arab Emirates in December FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Where is the hottest place in United Arab Emirates in December?
Dubai is the warmest of the 2 places we track in United Arab Emirates in December with an average high of 26.2°C; Abu Dhabi is the coolest at 25.3°C.
Is the sea warm in United Arab Emirates in December?
The sea averages 22°C or more at Dubai (24°C), Abu Dhabi (24°C) in December.
Is the sea warm enough for swimming in December?
The sea averages 24°C in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. That makes swimming a reasonable option, though comfort depends on how warm you like the water. There is no temperature advantage between these destinations for a sea swim.
How much warmer is it than London in December?
The United Arab Emirates averages 26°C by day, compared with London's 8°C. That is a marked shift towards light daytime clothing and spending time outdoors, but cooler UAE evenings still justify bringing a light layer.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at 2 destination points.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C