What is the weather like in Wellington in December?

Expect temperatures between 14°C and 17°C with 23% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Wellington in December?

Wellington in December scores 60/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Good option with minor considerations.

Who should visit Wellington in December?

December in Wellington is ideal for: Outdoor enthusiasts, Cultural tourists, Honeymoon couples, Business travelers, Adventure seekers.

Wellington Weather in December | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

17°C

Hottest around day 31

Avg Low

14°C

Coolest around day 1

Rainy Days

8days

23% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Winter season

Sea Temperature in December

Coastal Waters(Ocean)

16.9°C

Monthly Average

Water Feel

💧Refreshing

Consider a wetsuit for extended swimming

Swim Rating

🏄Cool, wetsuits recommended

Based on average sea surface temperature

Body of Water

Coastal Waters

Ocean

Wellington coastline

Essential Travel Info for Wellington

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

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 Wellington

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

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Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Moderate

41/ 100

Traffic Index

Balanced traffic

Peak Daily Arrivals

slots per day

Peak

Aug

Low

Nov

Monthly Traffic Distribution

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

114

Aug

100

Sep

Oct

Nov

100

Dec

Traffic Level

Low Season

Key Connections

Christchurch (CHC)

Auckland (AKL)

Nelson (NSN)

Blenheim Woodbourne (BHE)

Hamilton (HLZ)

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 Wellington?

👌Good option with minor considerations(60/100)

Short Answer

Wellington's December delivers on its reputation: 17°C, 23% rain, 11.3h sunshine. The trade-off? Peak crowds and prices at 88% capacity.

Decision Factors

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Seismically active region

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

Very high humidity

80% average humidity

Rough sea conditions

1.51m average wave height - Surfers Only

Peak tourist season

88% of annual peak - expect crowds and high prices

Health precautions needed

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

Good For

🥾
Outdoor enthusiasts
Ideal hiking conditions: 17.4°C, 23% rain chance
🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💑
Honeymoon couples
Wedding score 79/100 with romantic weather conditions
💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather
🎯
Adventure seekers
1.51m waves - good for surfing and water sports

Who Should Avoid

🏖️
Beach lovers
Sea temperature only 16.9°C - too cold for comfortable swimming
💰
Budget travelers
Peak season means premium prices everywhere
👴
Elderly travelers
80% humidity creates difficult conditions

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Wellington in December averages 17°C with 23% precipitation probability."

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Wellington in December

What are the temperatures in Wellington in December?

Daytime highs average 17°C, nights drop to 14°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Wellington in December?

Expect around 8 days with measurable rainfall. Rain is unlikely to disrupt plans.

What to wear in Wellington in December?

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

Is December peak season in Wellington?

This is shoulder season—moderate prices and manageable crowds.

Wellington Weather in December

Sea Temperature in December

Wellington December Weather Calendar

Essential Travel Info for Wellington

Travel Intelligence

Smart Flight Estimator

Flight Connectivity Analysis

Monthly Traffic Distribution

Key Connections

Health & Safety Advisory

COVID-19

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Measles

Rabies

Yellow Fever

Is December a Good Time to Visit Wellington?

Decision Factors

Good For

Who Should Avoid

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions: Wellington in December

What are the temperatures in Wellington in December?

How many rainy days in Wellington in December?

What to wear in Wellington in December?

Is December peak season in Wellington?