If you’re planning a trip to Misrata during Christmas, get ready for mild winter weather along the Libyan coast. Daytime temperatures usually hover around 19°C (66°F), while nights cool off to about 9°C (48°F). It’s honestly one of the more comfortable times to get out and explore.
December feels like a breath of fresh air after the hot, sticky summers. The pace slows down, and the cooler air makes wandering around a lot more pleasant.
Rainfall peaks in December, but honestly, it’s nothing compared to really rainy places. You might see a light shower, but it rarely ruins your plans for long.
Shorter days and less sunshine give the city a softer, quieter atmosphere. It’s kind of perfect for lazy mornings or early strolls by the sea.
Typical December Weather in Misrata
So, what’s December really like? Expect cooler days, a bit more rain, and shorter daylight compared to the rest of the year.
Temperatures drop into mild winter ranges. Rainfall peaks, and the air feels damper than during those dry summer months.
Average Temperatures
December brings a real change from autumn’s warmth. You’ll see daytime highs around 19°C (66°F), while nights dip close to 9°C (48°F).
Mornings and evenings feel pretty chilly, especially if you’re anywhere near the water. The difference between day and night temps can be noticeable.
You might throw on a light jacket after sunset but feel fine in lighter clothes by midday. Compared to roasting August days, which top 32°C (90°F), December is a relief.
The sun rises around 07:45 EET and sets near 18:00 EET at month’s end. With just about 10 hours of daylight, you’ll definitely notice the shorter days and limited time for outdoor fun.
Rainfall Patterns
December is hands-down the wettest month of the year in Misrata. On average, you’ll get about 60 mm (2.36 inches) of rain.
That’s a lot more than in July or August, when rain pretty much disappears. Showers are usually short and scattered rather than long, drawn-out storms.
Sometimes you’ll catch a thunderstorm, but don’t count on it being common. Streets can get slick fast, so decent shoes are a good idea if you’re walking the city.
The extra rain makes the surroundings greener than in the dry season. If you’re heading outside the city, keep in mind that rain can make roads slippery for a bit.
Humidity Levels
Humidity rises in December compared to the dry, hot summer. The cooler air holds more moisture, so mornings and evenings sometimes feel a little damp.
Relative humidity usually sits in the 60–70% range. That can make cool temps feel even colder, especially when a breeze comes in from the Mediterranean.
Inside, the air feels comfortable—no need for AC. Travelers usually don’t mind the extra humidity. It actually gives the city a mild winter vibe, a big change from the dusty, dry midsummer.
Daylight and Sunshine Around Christmas
In late December, days are noticeably shorter and you’ll get fewer hours of direct sun. There’s still enough daylight for sightseeing, but the reduced sunshine makes everything feel cooler and less bright.
Daylight Duration
Around Christmas, you’ll get about 10 hours of daylight per day in Misrata. The sun rises a little after 7:00 a.m. and sets near 5:00 p.m.
This is the shortest daylight span you’ll see all year. The limited daylight happens because the sun sits lower in the winter sky, staying closer to the horizon.
Plan for early evenings. If you want to hit the markets or walk along the coast, do it earlier in the day. Shorter daylight really matters for outdoor plans.
| Approx. Sunrise | Approx. Sunset | Average Daylight |
|---|---|---|
| 7:10 a.m. | 5:10 p.m. | ~10 hours |
Sunshine Hours
You might expect 10 hours of daylight, but actual bright sunshine averages closer to 6 hours per day in December. Clouds and rain cut down on clear, sunny stretches.
The sun sits lower, so the light isn’t as harsh. Even on clear days, it feels softer than in summer.
Don’t expect endless sunshine. Still, when the clouds break, the sun feels warm enough for a comfortable walk. A light jacket is smart, since cooler afternoons and evenings are the norm.
Summer is a totally different story—July can give you over 12 hours of sunshine, while December barely offers half. That shift really sets the mood for winter in Misrata.
Wind and Atmospheric Conditions
Around Christmas, Misrata’s weather feels cooler and a bit more unsettled than in summer. Winds play a big role in how things feel, especially near the coast.
Prevailing Wind Directions
Winds mainly come from the southeast (SE) and south-southeast (SSE) during the winter months. That’s pretty standard for Libya’s coast this time of year.
A southeast wind usually brings drier air from inland, so the atmosphere can feel crisp, even if it’s not that cold. SSE winds sometimes bring a little moisture from the sea, but rain stays limited.
Misrata’s spot along the Gulf of Sidra helps shape these wind patterns. Breezes shift a bit depending on the difference between land and sea temperatures.
You’ll probably notice the wind direction changing slightly during the day, but SE and SSE are the main players. If you’re planning outdoor stuff, it helps to know this—beaches and open spaces can feel much cooler or windier when those breezes hit.
Wind Speeds
Winds around Christmas usually stay moderate, averaging 10–20 km/h (6–12 mph). Strong gusts aren’t as common as in spring, but sometimes a passing pressure system can kick things up.
These steady breezes make the air feel fresher. Unlike the heavy, still heat of summer, December’s air moves and feels cleaner.
At night, winds usually calm down a bit, so sheltered spots feel more comfortable. Near the coast, though, you might still notice a steady breeze that adds a bit of chill to your evening walk.
If you’re sensitive to wind, bring some light layers. The combo of cooler temps and constant breezes can make it feel colder than the numbers suggest.
Christmas Week Weather Variations
During Christmas week, you’ll usually get mild days, cool evenings, and mostly dry skies. The weather stays pretty steady, though wind and clouds can shift how warm it feels.
Weather Trends by Day
From Sunday to Saturday, expect a stable pattern with mostly clear skies. Days are often sunny, and the sun sets early, around 5:30 pm, so outdoor time gets cut short.
On Monday and Tuesday, winds might pick up from the north, making evenings feel colder. By midweek—Wednesday and Thursday—things usually calm down, with lighter breezes and steady sun.
Friday and Saturday can bring slightly warmer afternoons, especially if the wind swings around from the south. Nights still cool off fast once the sun’s gone, so keep that jacket handy.
Temperature Fluctuations
Daytime highs during Christmas week usually hit 17–19°C (63–66°F). It feels great in the sun, but the breeze off the sea can make shaded spots feel chilly.
At night, lows drop to 10–12°C (50–54°F). Mornings and evenings feel much colder than afternoons.
You might notice minor changes from day to day, like:
- Mon–Tue: Highs near 17°C, with cooler winds.
- Wed–Thu: About 18°C, calm air.
- Fri–Sat: Highs up to 19°C, nights a bit milder.
The range isn’t huge, but the shift from sunny afternoons to cool evenings is worth planning for.
Rain Probability
December is one of Misrata’s wetter months, but it’s not exactly rainy compared to places up north. During Christmas week, rain chances are low to moderate—only a few days see real showers.
Rain usually comes as quick, light showers, not heavy storms. Early in the week, like Monday or Tuesday, clouds might build and drop a little rain.
The rest of the week, especially Wednesday through Saturday, tends to stay dry and clear. Humidity lingers, but it rarely messes up your plans.
Astronomical Features in Late December
Late December means short days and long evenings—great for stargazing if you’re into that. The moon’s phase can really change how bright the night feels during the holidays.
Moon Phase
Around Christmas, the moon is usually in a waning gibbous or last quarter phase, depending on the year. That means it’s past its fullest point and getting dimmer each night.
A waning gibbous rises later and hangs around most of the night. It can wash out some stars, but the extra light is handy for nighttime walks or coastal views.
Once it’s at last quarter, the moon rises after midnight. That leaves the early evening sky nice and dark, perfect for spotting constellations like Orion or Taurus.
If you’re planning to be outside, knowing the moon phase helps. Some folks want bright moonlight, others prefer darker skies for stargazing.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
In Misrata, late December brings the shortest days of the year. Sunrise is close to 08:00, and sunset falls around 18:00 Eastern European Time.
You get just over 10 hours of daylight. On December 25, the sun rises low, casting long shadows in the morning and evening—a classic winter look for coastal Libya.
With so little daylight, evenings come early. Locals often finish errands or outdoor activities before dusk, saving the cooler hours for indoor gatherings.
The early sunset gives you plenty of night for sky watching. If the moon’s in a waning phase, you’ll have darker skies earlier, making it easier to spot planets and winter constellations.
Planning Tools and Resources
If you’re getting ready for a trip to Misrata at Christmas, it pays to use simple tools to check weather trends and daylight patterns. These resources make it easy to compare temperatures, rainfall, and sunshine across different months and years.
Using the Calendar Month Picker
A calendar month picker helps you zero in on December weather data, so you don’t have to sift through the whole year. You’ll spot average highs, lows, rainfall, and daylight hours for just that month.
Take December in Misrata, for example. You’ll usually get daytime highs near 19°C (66°F) and nights dropping to about 9°C (48°F).
When you use the month picker, you can compare these averages with November or January. It’s kind of fascinating to see how the weather shifts from month to month.
If you’re planning a short holiday, this tool comes in handy. You can track rainfall patterns too—December stands out as the wettest month, with around 60 mm of precipitation.
A simple table view helps a lot:
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov | 23.8°C | 12°C | 35 mm | 10.6 h |
| Dec | 19.1°C | 9.2°C | 60 mm | 10.1 h |
| Jan | 17.4°C | 7.5°C | 50 mm | 10.3 h |
This setup makes it way easier to decide what clothes to pack or plan your daily activities and travel times.
Using the Calendar Year Picker
A calendar year picker gives you a wider view, letting you compare December weather across multiple years. You can spot patterns, like whether rainfall has picked up lately or if temperatures have held steady.
If you’re planning a longer stay or you like to return, this tool can help you avoid surprises. Some Decembers might bring several rainy days in a row, while others stay mostly dry.
When you check weather data from five or ten years back, you really see how often these shifts happen. It’s a bit of a reality check.
The year picker also makes it easier to plan around daylight changes. December always brings the shortest days, but sunrise and sunset times can shift a little each year.
Knowing this lets you schedule outdoor activities, like sightseeing or travel between cities, without getting caught off guard.
You can even use the year picker to compare December with other seasons. It’s interesting to see how winter conditions stack up against those hot, dry summers when rainfall drops to almost zero.
That way, you can decide if December’s cooler, wetter weather really fits your travel style.