30YearWeather
Christchurch in December
Christchurch weather in December - New Zealand
🌤️Mild & Comfortable

Christchurch Weather in December

Plan your December trip to Christchurch, New Zealand. Based on 30 years of NASA data, expect temperatures of 20°C (high) to 12°C (low), with 19% rain probability and 8 hours of daily sunshine. The Pacific Ocean averages 18°C in December. Great conditions with only 5 rainy days expected.

Avg High
20°C

Hottest around day 31

Avg Low
12°C

Coolest around day 1

Rainy Days
5days

19% avg rain chance

Sunshine
8hrs/day

Winter season

Sea Temperature in December

Pacific Ocean

18°C

Monthly Average

Water Feel
🏊Pleasant

Comfortable for most swimmers

Swim Rating
👍Good for swimming

Based on average sea surface temperature

Body of Water
Pacific Ocean

Christchurch coastline

Christchurch December Weather Calendar

Click any day to see detailed weather information

Currency

NZD

$ New Zealand dollar

Language

English

+2 more

Driving

Left side

Safety

Very High Safety

GPI: 1.269

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Christchurch

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

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Add your home location in settings to see airport details.

Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Moderate
42/ 100
Traffic Index

Balanced traffic

Peak Daily Arrivals

0

slots per day

Peak

Aug

Low

Jan

Monthly Traffic Distribution

91
Jan
99
Feb
99
Mar
108
Apr
115
May
95
Jun
97
Jul
125
Aug
116
Sep
97
Oct
92
Nov
109
Dec
Traffic Level
Low Season

Key Connections

Auckland (AKL)
Wellington (WLG)
Invercargill (IVC)
Dunedin (DUD)
Nelson (NSN)

Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

6 Recommendations
COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.

Hepatitis A

Consider hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers. It is recommended for travelers who will be doing higher risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where a traveler might get infected through food or water. It is recommended for travelers who plan on eating street food.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to New Zealand. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to New Zealand.

Measles

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.

Rabies

Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in New Zealand.If rabies exposures occur while in New Zealand, rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities.Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.For more information, seecountry rabies status assessments.

Yellow Fever

CDC recommendations:Vaccine isnotrecommended.Country entry requirements:Vaccine isnotrequired.Updated April 23, 2025

Source: CDC Travelers' Health

View Complete Health Guide

Is December a Good Time to Visit Christchurch?

👍Very good conditions overall
Short Answer

December is Christchurch's peak season for good reason: 20°C temperatures and 19% rain probability. But expect crowds (87% of annual maximum) and premium prices.

Decision Factors

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Seismically active region

52 earthquakes recorded in this month (30-year data)

Peak tourist season

87% of annual peak - expect crowds and high prices

Ideal temperature range

20°C - perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities

Health precautions needed

Be aware of: Leptospirosis, Hantavirus, Tuberculosis (TB)

Plenty of sunshine

11.1h of sunshine daily

Good For

  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
    Families with children

    Comfortable 20°C temperatures and low 19% rain risk

  • 👴
    Elderly travelers

    Comfortable 20°C temperature range with manageable humidity

  • 🥾
    Outdoor enthusiasts

    Ideal hiking conditions: 20°C, 19% rain chance

  • 🏛️
    Cultural tourists

    Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites

  • 💑
    Honeymoon couples

    Wedding score 96/100 with romantic weather conditions

Who Should Avoid

  • 💰
    Budget travelers

    Peak season means premium prices everywhere

930 observations30-year historical data
Confidence: 99%

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Christchurch in December averages 20°C with 19% precipitation probability."

📊 Source: 30YearWeather.com🛰️ Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)View Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: Christchurch in December

What are the temperatures in Christchurch in December?

Daytime highs average 20°C, nights drop to 12°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Christchurch in December?

Expect around 5 days with measurable rainfall. Rain is unlikely to disrupt plans.

What to wear in Christchurch in December?

Layers are key. A medium-weight jacket and closed-toe shoes.

Is December peak season in Christchurch?

This is typically peak season with higher prices. Book 2-3 months ahead.