If you’re planning to spend Christmas in Delhi, you’re in for one of the city’s most pleasant stretches of weather. Most days feel mild, with average highs hovering around 21–23°C (70–73°F), and nights cool off to about 7–8°C (45–46°F). It’s a sweet spot for sightseeing, outdoor events, and festive gatherings, without the brutal summer heat or sticky monsoon humidity.
December skies usually stay clear, and rain barely makes an appearance. Mornings and evenings feel crisp, but afternoons often warm up enough that you only need a light layer. Sure, daylight hours shrink, and you’ll notice it, but those bright, sunny afternoons still make the city feel welcoming.
With a general sense of what to expect, you can figure out what clothes to pack, how to plan your days, and when to get outside for the best weather. Let’s dig into the details—temperature patterns, rain odds, humidity, and more—that shape Delhi’s holiday season.
Typical Weather Conditions During Christmas in Delhi
Christmas in New Delhi brings mild warmth during the day, cooler nights, and mostly dry skies. Mornings sometimes start with fog or haze, and pollution can cut visibility a bit. Rain rarely interrupts the season, and the overall climate feels much more stable than other parts of the year.
Overview of December Climate
December lands right in the heart of Delhi’s winter. Average daytime highs settle at about 23–24°C (73–75°F), and after dark, lows dip to around 8–10°C (46–50°F). You’ll probably want a light jacket or sweater for evenings out.
Rain barely registers—less than 10 mm falls for the entire month. Most days, the sky stays clear, but fog sometimes creeps in overnight or early in the morning. If the fog hangs around, it can keep things chillier during the day.
Humidity sits at moderate levels, and winds rarely pick up much, usually cruising along at 8–12 km/h. That combo gives Delhi a dry, stable winter climate—nothing too harsh, nothing too warm.
Weather Patterns Around Christmas Week
Christmas week in Delhi looks a lot like the rest of December. Daytime highs tend to stick around 22–24°C, with nighttime lows near 9–11°C. These mild conditions make it easy to explore outdoors.
Fog gets more common toward the end of December, especially in the early mornings. Sometimes, visibility drops fast, which can mess with flights or road travel. Pollution and stagnant air often cause a hazy look across the city.
Rain almost never shows up this week, and you’ll get about 7 hours of sunshine each day. Even though daylight is short, afternoons brighten up once the fog lifts. Nights stay cool, so dressing in layers works best.
Comparison to Other Times of the Year
Christmas weather in Delhi feels like a relief compared to the city’s blistering summer. In May and June, highs can soar past 40°C (104°F), but December chills out with much friendlier temps. You can actually get outside without worrying about heat exhaustion.
Monsoon season, from late June to September, dumps heavy rain and cranks up the humidity. December, on the other hand, falls in the dry season, so rain barely happens. It’s honestly one of the driest months you’ll get.
Delhi’s winter doesn’t last long or hit as hard as it does in more northern places. January cools off a bit more, but December gives you a nice balance—cool at night, warm during the day, and pretty predictable weather for the holidays.
Temperature Trends and Averages
Late December brings some of Delhi’s most comfortable weather. Days feel crisp and pleasant, while nights can get chilly, but nothing too extreme compared to the city’s brutal summers.
Daytime and Nighttime Temperatures
Around Christmas, Delhi’s daytime temperatures usually land between 21–23 °C (69–73 °F). The sun sticks around enough to keep afternoons pleasant, and clear skies are common, though haze or fog can sneak in and limit what you see.
At night, temperatures drop off fast. Lows hover close to 8 °C (46 °F), and if you head out to the city’s edges, it might feel even cooler. If you’re out in the evening or early morning, bring an extra layer.
This back-and-forth between warm days and cool nights is classic Delhi winter. Delhi’s dry air and inland spot let heat escape quickly after sunset, so nights cool down even when afternoons feel warm.
Temperature Fluctuations
December’s weather usually stays steady, but you might see some short-term swings. Some days, highs only reach 18 °C (64 °F), especially if the fog won’t budge.
On sunnier days, temperatures climb to 24–25 °C (75–77 °F), which feels a lot warmer. That’s a 6–7 degree swing in just a few days.
The difference between day and night—called the diurnal range—often hits 12–15 °C. So, mornings can feel pretty chilly, but by afternoon, it’s comfortable again before cooling down quickly in the evening. Dressing in layers makes life easier.
Historical Extremes
Averages help, but Delhi sometimes throws curveballs in late December. During cold waves, nighttime lows have dropped to 2–3 °C (36–37 °F). These are rare, but mornings can feel biting when it happens.
On the flip side, clear skies and dry western winds have occasionally pushed daytime highs above 26 °C (79 °F).
If you compare this to June, when highs average 40 °C (104 °F), December feels like a different planet. Still, the nighttime chill can surprise visitors who think India’s capital stays warm all year.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
December falls smack in the dry season for Delhi, with very little rain. If it does rain, it’s usually light and over quickly—don’t expect any downpours.
Average Rainfall in December
Delhi barely sees any rain in December compared to the monsoon. The city averages about 5–10 mm for the whole month, which is pretty much the lowest all year. Some years, it doesn’t rain at all.
Usually, you’ll get 0 to 1 rainy day in December. If there is rain, it’s usually just a quick shower or drizzle.
Humidity drops off compared to the muggy monsoon, so the air feels much drier. That’s typical for Delhi’s steppe-like climate outside of summer.
So, if you’re traveling, you can count on dry skies and almost zero rain interruptions for your plans.
Chance of Rain Around Christmas
The odds of measurable rain at Christmas are super low. Historical records put the chance of rain during the last week of December at less than 5%.
If rain does show up, it’s usually because of western disturbances—weather systems that sometimes bring light winter showers to northern India. These are rare in December and show up more often in January or February.
Don’t expect any heavy rain during Christmas in Delhi. Instead, it’s usually dry, with cool air and clear or maybe just a little hazy skies.
Christmas week is honestly one of the driest times of the year, so your plans are safe from rain.
Humidity and Wind Conditions
Late December in Delhi brings cool, dry air, low moisture, and gentle breezes. The climate feels crisp, and while fog sometimes rolls in during the morning, afternoons usually clear up with calm winds.
Relative Humidity Levels
Around Christmas, Delhi’s relative humidity sits between 40% and 55% during the day. Early mornings can push higher, sometimes up to 70%, thanks to fog and the overnight chill. By afternoon, humidity drops closer to 40%, so the air dries out.
Dryness is a big part of Delhi’s winter. Unlike the monsoon, when humidity is often above 60%, December air feels light and not sticky. Your skin might feel dry, so don’t forget to hydrate.
Fog tends to show up in the mornings because of the cool temps and higher overnight humidity. Once the sun comes up, humidity drops and visibility gets better. That means evenings and nights feel damp, but afternoons stay comfortable.
So, December humidity in Delhi is moderate to low, with the most moisture packed into the colder parts of the day.
Typical Wind Speed
Winds in December are usually light to moderate, averaging 5–10 km/h (3–6 mph). Most of the time, the breeze comes from the northwest, bringing in dry air.
Strong gusts are rare. Instead, you’ll notice a gentle, steady wind that adds to the morning and evening chill. The calm air also helps fog form and sometimes makes air quality worse.
By afternoon, winds might pick up just enough to clear out haze, making it nicer outside. Most travelers find the breeze mild, so it won’t mess with sightseeing or day-to-day plans.
All in all, December winds in Delhi stay steady and light, helping keep the winter climate stable.
Sunshine Hours and Daylight
December brings shorter days and fewer sunshine hours to Delhi. Still, you’ll get a fair bit of daylight, but the sun doesn’t stick around as long or shine as strong as in the summer.
Average Sunshine Duration
You can expect 6 to 7 hours of sunshine per day during December. That’s less than the 9+ hours you get in May, but it’s still decent for getting outside.
Shorter days and the occasional haze or fog cut down on direct sunlight, even when the sky looks mostly clear.
Over a year, Delhi averages about 2,796 hours of sunshine, so December sits on the lower end. Still, it’s brighter than a lot of northern cities in winter.
If you want the most sun, head out late morning to early afternoon. That’s when the fog usually clears and you’ll get the best visibility.
Daylight Hours in Late December
By late December, Delhi gets about 10.3 to 10.5 hours of daylight each day. The sun rises around 7:10 AM and sets close to 5:30 PM.
With less daylight, you’ll need to plan sightseeing or travel in a tighter window than during the summer. Evening events usually start after dark since sunset comes early.
Compared to summer, when daylight can last past 13.5 hours, December days feel a lot shorter. It’s one of the biggest seasonal changes you’ll notice.
The early sunset and cooler temps slow things down in the evenings. A lot of visitors actually enjoy this—heading to food markets or cultural spots indoors once the sun’s gone.
Additional Weather Considerations for Visitors
Late December brings more than just cool, sunny days. Air quality and visibility can drop, and you might need to tweak travel plans based on the season’s quirks.
Air Quality and Fog
New Delhi often struggles with heavy smog in late December. Vehicle emissions, burning crop residue in nearby states, and stagnant winter air all trap pollutants near the ground. That can mean low visibility and breathing discomfort, especially if you have asthma or allergies.
Fog is another headache. Dense fog can form overnight and stick around into the morning, sometimes cutting visibility to less than 100 meters. This often disrupts flights, trains, and road travel. Morning delays at Indira Gandhi International Airport are pretty common this time of year.
If you’re planning to be outside, consider wearing a mask rated for fine particles. Checking daily air quality indexes before heading out is smart. For sightseeing, aim for outdoor activities in the afternoon, when fog usually lifts and you can see more.
Travel Tips for Christmas in Delhi
Pack layered clothing since mornings and nights can dip close to 5°C. Afternoons might feel surprisingly mild at 20°C, but don’t let that fool you.
A warm jacket, gloves, and a scarf really help during evening outings. Trust me, you’ll want them when the sun goes down.
Fog often causes delays, so give yourself extra time if you’re traveling by train or air. I’d avoid booking morning flights—mid-day or afternoon departures usually work out better.
Toss some moisturizer and lip balm into your bag, because the dry winter air can be pretty harsh on your skin. Staying hydrated matters too, even if it doesn’t feel hot outside.
Try to keep your schedule flexible. Weather can change fast, so having backup plans for indoor activities, like checking out museums or shopping in Connaught Place, can really save the day.