Christmas in Darwin feels nothing like the chilly holiday scenes you might imagine elsewhere. This is smack in the middle of the wet season, so you’ll deal with hot, sticky air and frequent bursts of rain or storms. Around Christmas, the average daytime temperature hovers near 32°C (90°F) with nights staying warm at about 28°C (82°F).
The air gets heavy with moisture, and humidity often climbs above 70%. Rain shows up almost daily, usually in sudden, intense showers that clear out and let the sun back in.
You get nearly 13 hours of daylight, so there’s still plenty of time to be outside between storms.
The sea is warm too, averaging close to 31°C (88°F), making the water inviting but not exactly refreshing.
Clouds hang around a lot, but the sun still breaks through for a few hours each day.
This blend of heat, humidity, and rain gives Christmas in Darwin its own tropical vibe—definitely not your typical Australian holiday.
Darwin’s Climate in December
December in Darwin means hot, humid days and frequent heavy rain. Temperatures stay high day and night, and the wet season brings quick, intense storms along with sticky air.
Overview of Tropical Climate
Darwin sits in a tropical savanna zone, so December brings both heat and humidity. Daytime highs usually hit 32–33°C (89–91°F), with nights staying warm at 25–27°C (77–81°F).
Temperatures barely drop after sunset, unlike many other cities.
Humidity often tops 65%, making the air feel even warmer than the thermometer says. You’ll feel the stickiness all day, especially before it rains.
Seawater stays warm at about 28–31°C (82–88°F), so swimming is comfortable. Just keep in mind, marine stingers show up in coastal waters during the wet season, so use stinger nets or stick to safe swimming zones.
Wet Season Characteristics
December lands right in the heart of Darwin’s wet season. Rainfall averages between 200–300 mm for the month, spread over 10–15 days.
Showers usually hit in the late afternoon or evening, while mornings start out sunny.
Storms get intense, with heavy rain and lots of lightning. Roads can flood fast during these downpours, so leave extra time if you’re heading out.
Even with all the rain, you still see 6–7 hours of sunshine each day. Light breezes around 3 m/s sometimes help, but on calm days, the air feels still and heavy.
If you’re planning outdoor activities, get them in early before the storms roll through. Always have a light rain jacket handy, since showers can show up out of nowhere.
Comparison to Other Months
December is hotter and wetter than the dry season (May to September), when humidity drops and rain is rare. During those months, daytime highs stay closer to 30°C and nights are cooler with clear skies.
Compared to November, December brings more rain and higher humidity as the wet season really kicks in. January and February usually get even wetter, with more frequent storms and higher rainfall totals.
If you’re after milder weather, stick to the dry season. But if you want to see Darwin’s landscape at its greenest, December is the time, complete with dramatic afternoon storms.
Average Temperature Around Christmas
Christmas lands in the middle of Darwin’s wet season, so expect both heat and humidity. Days are hot, nights are warm, and there’s not much relief from the muggy air.
Daytime and Nighttime Temperatures
Daytime temperatures around Christmas usually hit 31–33°C (88–91°F). High humidity, often above 70%, makes the heat feel even more intense.
If you’re not used to tropical climates, outdoor activities can wear you out quickly.
At night, it rarely drops below 24–26°C (75–79°F). Evenings stay warm and sticky, and you’ll probably want air conditioning or a strong fan to sleep comfortably.
Unlike southern Australia, Darwin doesn’t get cool nights this time of year.
Wear lightweight clothes and drink plenty of water to handle both day and night conditions. The small difference between day and night temperatures is typical for tropical places.
Temperature Variability and Records
The daily range between high and low (the diurnal variation) is pretty small in December—about 7°C (13°F). Clouds and humidity keep nights from cooling off much.
Extreme highs above 35°C (95°F) don’t happen often in December, but the humidity makes the air feel hotter than it actually is.
If you’re outside for long stretches, heat stress can sneak up on you.
Heavy afternoon storms sometimes cool things off briefly, but the relief doesn’t last. You’ll feel steady warmth most of the time, without any real cold snaps.
Sea Surface Temperatures
The sea around Darwin stays very warm in December, with average surface temps near 30°C (86°F). Swimming feels nice, but beware of jellyfish and stingers that are common during the wet season.
Warm seas pump extra moisture into the air, making everything feel stickier.
If you’re planning anything by the coast, the water will feel almost as warm as the air. That’s part of why Darwin’s Christmas weather feels so consistently hot.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
December kicks off Darwin’s wet season with high humidity, frequent heavy rains, and regular storms. Rain really takes over the weather this month, shaping how you go about your day.
Average Rainfall in December
December stands out as one of Darwin’s wettest months. On average, you’ll see over 250 mm of rain during the month, but totals can go even higher if tropical systems roll through.
Rain usually doesn’t last all day. Instead, showers build up in the afternoon or evening after steamy mornings.
These downpours come on fast and strong, dumping a lot of water in not much time.
With high rainfall and daytime temps around 32°C, being outside can feel uncomfortable if you’re not ready for it. Bring light rain gear and have some indoor plans for the afternoons.
Frequency and Intensity of Rain
Rain in Darwin during December is both frequent and heavy. You’ll probably see rain on about 20 to 25 days of the month, and some days get hit with more than one shower.
Rainfall intensity is often high, with tropical downpours that can cause flash flooding in low spots. Streets and footpaths can flood fast, so give yourself extra time to get around.
Darwin’s rain isn’t like the light drizzle you find in cooler places—it comes in short, powerful bursts.
These events might not last long, but the amount of rain adds up fast, which is why monthly totals get so high.
Thunderstorms and Wet Days
Thunderstorms are a big part of December weather in Darwin. You’ll get regular afternoon and evening storms, with dramatic lightning and loud thunder.
These storms bump up the number of wet days.
Not every day is a washout, but odds are high you’ll get at least one shower or storm.
Thunderstorms bring gusty winds and sometimes local flooding. If you’re planning to be outside, do it early in the day before storms build up.
Watching storms from somewhere safe can be pretty impressive, but avoid open spaces and water when lightning is around.
Humidity and Comfort Levels
Late December in Darwin feels hot and sticky thanks to high humidity and warm nights. The mix of muggy air and high temps affects how comfortable you’ll feel outside and how your body handles the heat.
Average Humidity in December
December sits deep in the wet season, so humidity stays high. Most days, relative humidity averages around 70–75%, with mornings sometimes feeling even heavier.
This much moisture in the air makes it feel dense and slows down how fast your sweat can cool you off.
Even when daytime temps are 32–33°C (89–91°F), humidity makes it feel warmer. Nights don’t really help, as humidity often stays above 65% after dark.
If you’re visiting, you’ll probably spend more time indoors with fans or air conditioning. Outdoor activities might tire you out faster, especially if you aren’t used to this kind of humidity.
Dew Point and Heat Index
In December, Darwin’s dew point usually sits between 23°C and 25°C (73–77°F). Anything above 24°C means the air is really humid, which explains why everything feels sticky and sweat just lingers.
The heat index—which combines temp and humidity—often pushes the “feels like” number a few degrees above the actual air temperature.
So, a day at 33°C with high humidity can actually feel closer to 37–39°C.
This combo raises the risk of heat stress if you’re outside for long. Try to do your activities early or later in the day when it’s a bit cooler and less humid.
Wind Speed and Weather Dynamics
Around Christmas, Darwin gets steady winds because of the wet season. These breezes shape the humidity, cloud cover, and rain patterns, all of which change how the weather feels.
Typical Wind Speeds
In December, average wind speeds in Darwin usually range between 10 to 20 km/h (6 to 12 mph). Winds mostly blow in from the west or northwest, bringing in moisture from the Timor Sea.
That’s in line with the bigger monsoon flow that kicks in during the wet season.
You’ll notice the winds aren’t super strong, but they’re pretty steady.
Afternoon storms can bring short bursts of stronger gusts, sometimes hitting 30 km/h (18 mph) or more, especially near heavy rain.
Nights tend to be calmer as the heat fades, so evenings feel less breezy than afternoons.
Daytime winds help a bit with the humidity, making it feel slightly more bearable.
Effects on Daily Weather
Wind flow has a direct impact on how rain develops in Darwin around Christmas. Moist winds from the sea bring more clouds and help fuel the frequent thunderstorms that pop up almost daily.
This creates a humid, unsettled feel, with rain usually showing up later in the day.
Since the winds push moisture inland, humidity stays high throughout the city. That adds to the sticky heat, but it also keeps the landscape lush and green.
Storm gusts can drop temps for a bit by mixing cooler air down, but once storms move on, the calm, muggy air comes right back.
The back-and-forth between steady breezes and storm gusts is what gives Darwin’s wet season its wild weather swings.
Sunshine, Daylight, and Cloud Cover
Late December in Darwin brings long days, steady daylight, and a mix of sun and clouds. The wet season means frequent storms, but the sun still manages to break through for a few hours daily.
Average Sunshine Hours
Around Christmas, Darwin gets about 6 to 7 hours of sunshine each day. That’s less than during the dry season, when skies are clearer and the sun is out more reliably.
High humidity and frequent rain clouds cut down on direct sunlight hours. Still, when the sun’s out, it’s strong, and UV levels stay high.
Plan for both bright, sunny stretches and periods of overcast skies.
Outdoor activities usually work best in the morning before afternoon storms roll in.
| Month | Avg. Sunlight Hours/Day | % of Daylight Sunny |
|---|---|---|
| December | ~6h 54m | ~54% |
| January | ~5h 48m | ~46% |
Daylight Duration
Darwin sits pretty close to the equator, so the days don’t really stretch or shrink much through the year. Around Christmas, you’ll get about 12 hours and 50 minutes of daylight each day.
The sun usually pops up before 6:00 a.m., and you’ll see it set close to 7:00 p.m. That’s a lot of daylight for outdoor plans, though afternoon storms might cut things short.
The longest day of the year in Darwin is just about an hour and a half longer than the shortest. You won’t notice those big swings in daylight that people further south in Australia talk about.
Cloudiness Trends
Cloud cover really ramps up in December, right as the wet season hits its stride. On average, only about half of the daylight hours are clear or sunny, while the rest get swallowed up by clouds or passing storms.
You’ll probably notice heavy clouds building up in the afternoons, which often leads to thunderstorms. Mornings tend to look brighter, with more open sky.
This pattern makes it smart to keep your outdoor plans flexible. Even if the sky looks clear early on, things can change in a hurry.
Cloudy nights keep temperatures warm and sticky, so don’t expect much relief after sunset.
Special Weather Considerations for Christmas
Christmas in Darwin lands right in the middle of the wet season. You should expect high humidity, plenty of heavy rain, and a chance of dangerous weather systems that might mess with your travel or outdoor plans.
Cyclone Risk and Severe Weather
Darwin sits in a region where tropical cyclones are pretty common between November and April. Around Christmas, the risk is moderate to high. Cyclones can bring damaging winds, flooding rain, and storm surges along the coast.
Even if a cyclone doesn’t hit directly, tropical lows and monsoon troughs often pop up. These systems can still dump heavy downpours, cause local flooding, and spark lightning storms. Power outages and road closures sometimes happen during bad weather.
The Bureau of Meteorology usually puts out warnings pretty early. If you’re visiting, it’s a good idea to check updates every day. Weather can flip fast, and forecasts change within hours.
Key points to prepare for:
- Cyclone season runs November–April
- Heavy rainfall can exceed 200 mm in December
- Flash flooding is common in low-lying areas
Travel and Outdoor Activity Tips
Traveling around Christmas? You’ll probably need to stay flexible. Storms can delay flights, and flooding sometimes blocks regional roads. Before you head out, especially if you’re driving out of town, check the latest road and weather conditions.
Going hiking or camping? Heavy rain or storms can make that a bad idea. When the heat index climbs over 40°C, spending too much time outside feels uncomfortable—maybe even risky—unless you’ve got shade and plenty of water.
Thinking about swimming? Locals avoid Darwin beaches in December because of box jellyfish and strong currents. You’ll find hotel pools or designated swimming lagoons are much safer.
Practical advice:
- Pack rain gear and use waterproof bags
- Plan some indoor activities just in case
- Drink lots of water and skip the midday sun
- Keep an eye on local safety alerts and closures