Weather for Christchurch in December is typically good with an average maximum temperature of +70°F during the day, and approximately 3 sunny days monthly. Typically, there are about 15 rainy days with the total average precipitation that falls in December around 60 mm. Expect good weather and pack accordingly to enjoy the outdoors. Search flightsin one click on Avionero.
Average weather
☀️
+70°F
Avg. max. temperature
+39°F
Min.
+90°F
Max.
60 mm
Total precipitation
69%
Avg. humidity
4 m/s
Avg. wind
3 ☀️
Sunny Days
12 ⛅️
Cloudy
15 🌦
Rainy
Our opinion: Christchurch has good weather in December.
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Average temperature in Christchurch in December
Here are the expected maximum, average and minimum temperatures in Christchurch for December based on the historical data.
Last Year
Historical Data
The expected average maximum temperature in December is +72°F with a maximum of +82°F and a minimum of +48°F.
The average maximum temperature goes up 42% by the end of the month, compared with the beginning of the month, from +64°F to +79°F.
Is Christchurch warm or cold in December?
Christchurch is typically mild in December.
Maximum temperatures go up compared to the previous month from +66°F to +70°F. The minimum temperature also goes up from +50°F to +54°F.
Pack a light jacket as it will be warm in the day and cool in the evenings.
December is one of the warmest months in Christchurch, here is the comparison with other months:
Water temperature in Christchurch in December
Water in Christchurch in December is Cold. It varies from +54°F to +62°F, with an average of +58°F.The air temperature averaging +70°F is higher than the water temperature.
In December, water temperatures are average relative to the rest of the year:
The warmest water temperatures in Christchurch are reached in February, when the average sea temperature rises to +61°F. The coldest water temperatures are in August, with an average of +49°F.
Can you swim in Christchurch in December?
We would not recommend swimming in Christchurch in December, the water is very cold (+58°F on average). Consider swimming only if you are an experienced cold-water swimmer with proper gear.
🦭
Cold
Below +61°F
🏄♂️
Fresh
61°F - 70°F
🏊
Comfortable
70°F - 77°F
👙
Warm
77°F - 82°F
🔥
Very warm
+82°C and up
You will need a full-body wetsuit, cap, gloves, a warm change of clothes, and a hot drink ready for after your swim.
Climate in Christchurch in December
Christchurch weather looks like this, on average, in December and the surrounding months.
November
December
January
Avg. temperature
+66°F
+70°F
+72°F
Min. temperature
+34°F
+39°F
+39°F
Max. temperature
+88°F
+90°F
+95°F
Rainfall
53 mm
60 mm
47 mm
Wind
4 m/s
4 m/s
4 m/s
Avg. water temperature
+54°F
+58°F
+60°F
Humidity
70%
69%
69%
Air pressure
1009 HPa
1009 HPa
1010 HPa
Sunny days
4
3
5
Cloudy days
11
12
14
Rainy days
15
15
13
Snowy days
0
0
0
December weather is still as good as in November.It’s getting warmer as December arrives. The average maximum temperature goes up from +66°F to +70°F during the day.Prepare for more rain. Average rainfall goes from 53 mm to 60 mm.It feels drier, as humidity decreases from 70% to 69%.The average wind speed doesn’t change much during December, staying around 4 m/s.The days becoming less sunny, going from 4 sunny days in November to 3 in December.
January brings much the same weather, it remains good.
Wind speed in Christchurch in December based on historical data.
Last Year
Historical Data
The average wind speed is 4 m/s getting up to 7 m/s which is a medium breeze. You can feel it, especially getting out of the water.
The average wind speed in Christchurch is gradually decreasing during December, going from 5 m/s to 3 m/s over the course of the month.
Rain
Amount of rainfall in mm during December in Christchurch based on historical data.
Last Year
Historical Data
Total precipitation in December is about 62 mm, with a 35% chance of rain on a typical day. The maximum amount of rainfall per day is around 13 mm, which is considered light rain.December is a pretty wet month with over 11 rainy days, so don’t forget to pack an umbrella, raincoat, and a pair of wellies.
December is one of the rainiest months in Christchurch, here is a comparison with other months, total mm:
Christchurch wettest month is July, where a typical day has a 48% chance of precipitation and 61 mm of rainfall per day. February, on the other hand, is the driest month with a mere 38% chance of precipitation and 42 mm of rainfall per day.
How was the weather last December in Christchurch?
This is the weather in Christchurch in December 2023:
1 December
☁️
+64°F
2 December
☁️
+79°F
3 December
🌧️
+80°F
4 December
☁️
+59°F
5 December
☁️
+67°F
6 December
☀️
+70°F
7 December
☁️
+67°F
8 December
☀️
+76°F
9 December
☁️
+78°F
10 December
☀️
+68°F
11 December
☀️
+72°F
12 December
🌧️
+56°F
13 December
☀️
+66°F
14 December
☁️
+67°F
15 December
☁️
+78°F
16 December
☁️
+74°F
17 December
🌧️
+81°F
18 December
☁️
+67°F
19 December
☁️
+79°F
20 December
☀️
+80°F
21 December
☁️
+70°F
22 December
☁️
+68°F
23 December
☁️
+73°F
24 December
☁️
+78°F
25 December
☁️
+72°F
26 December
☁️
+69°F
27 December
☁️
+64°F
28 December
☁️
+75°F
29 December
☀️
+83°F
30 December
☀️
+79°F
31 December
☀️
+78°F
In December 2023 Christchurch had 9 sunny days, 19 cloudy days, and 3 rainy days. The average maximum temperature was +72°F, with an absolute maximum of +82°F and a minimum of +55°F. The average humidity was 76%, with a maximum of 96% and a minimum of 44%. The average wind speed was 4 m/s, with a maximum of 14 m/s and a minimum of 0 m/s.
Are you planning a trip in December?
Climate Change Over the Years
This is how Christchurch climate has changed over the last 43 years.
The climate in Christchurch in December has not changed that much over the last 43 years.
The average temperature was the lowest in 1992 (+59°F) and the highest in 2019 (+65°F). The driest year was 1988 with only 348 mm of rainfall, and the wettest year was 2021 with 963 mm.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Christchurch in December:
Is December a good time to visit Christchurch?
December is a really good time to go to Christchurch. The weather is nice so plan your packing around outdoor activities and exploring. Check out other good time to visit Christchurch.
Can you sunbathe in Christchurch in December?
December has mild temperatures in Christchurch. Not ideal for sunbathing, but still good for daytime outdoor activities, but plan for cool evenings. Pack a light jacket and shorts!
Can you swim in Christchurch in December?
Swimming in Christchurch in December is challenging and not recommended for inexperienced swimmers or without proper equipment and preparation.
Is Christchurch rainy in December?
Christchurch is often rainy in December. You may get a bit damp when outside, so pack an umbrella, and maybe even a raincoat.
Is it sunny in Christchurch in December?
Usually, it’s not very sunny in Christchurch in December, often it’s pretty cloudy. Pack for any eventuality; layering can help reduce the number of bulky items needed.
Other cities in New Zealand
Check out the weather for other cities in New Zealand.
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in Christchurch, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2023.
For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.
