Xai-Xai weather in December

In December, Xai-Xai sees average daytime highs of 30°C and overnight lows near 23°C, with 111 mm of rain across 10.8 wet days and about 13.5 hours of daylight. It is the 3rd-warmest and 2nd-wettest month of the year here.

Day-to-day highs hold fairly steady near 30°C through the month. The sky is clear or mostly clear about 32% of the time in December, and the air most often feels oppressive.

Daylight stretches from about 13 h 24 min at the start of December to 13 h 30 min by month's end. Set against the rest of the year, December is Xai-Xai's 11th-clearest and 5th-windiest month. For the whole year in context, see Xai-Xai's year-round climate.

Daytime high
30°
3rd warmest
Overnight low
23°
9th coldest
Rainfall
111 mm
10.8 wet days
Daylight
13 h 30 min
4:55 AM – 6:28 PM
Cloud cover
56%
11th clearest
Wind
14 km/h
5th windiest
Solar energy
6.37 kWh/m²
Travel score
4.8
out of 10

Xai-Xai is city in Gaza Province, Mozambique.

Air quality: WHO Ambient Air Quality Database. Density & description: Wikidata (CC0), GeoNames.

Temperature in December

Average highAverage lowShaded bands: 10–90% of days

Day-to-day highs hold fairly steady near 30°C through the month.

A typical December day in Xai-Xai reaches about 30°C in the afternoon and slips back to 23°C overnight — a 7°C spread between the day's warmth and the night's chill. On most days the high lands between 26°C and 35°C. Set against its neighbours, December runs about 1°C warmer than November and on par with January.

15°20°25°30°35°40°151015202531
Avg high (°C)Avg low (°C)
13022
23022
33022
43022
53022
63022
73022
83023
93023
103023
113023
123023
133023
143023
153023
163023
173123
183123
193123
203123
213123
223123
233123
243123
253123
263123
273124
283124
293124
303124
313124

How December really feels in Xai-Xai

Once humidity and wind are folded in, December averages 24 days that feel above 32°C and 0 that feel at or below 0°C — the comfort signal a plain temperature reading hides.

Days feeling ≥ 32°C
24
heat index over the day's high
Days feeling ≤ C
0
wind chill below the day's low

The story in December is heat — humidity pushes the afternoon "feels like" well above the raw temperature.

Xai-Xai weather by month

How December compares with the rest of the year at a glance. December is the 3rd-warmest and 2nd-wettest month here — the current month is highlighted below.

MonthHigh / Low (°C)Rainfall (mm)Wet daysDaylight (hours)Travel score
Jan31° / 24°12913.813.44.4
Feb31° / 24°8311.512.94.5
Mar30° / 23°741212.25.0
Apr28° / 21°449.411.46.2
May27° / 19°286.110.87.7
Jun25° / 17°204.810.58.2
Jul25° / 16°184.610.68.4
Aug26° / 17°153.411.18.2
Sep28° / 19°254.411.87.4
Oct28° / 20°376.512.66.4
Nov30° / 22°739.613.25.3
Dec30° / 23°11110.813.54.8

Cloud cover in December

ClearMostly clearPartly cloudyMostly cloudyOvercast

The sky is clear or mostly clear about 32% of the time in December.

Beyond those clear spells, partly cloudy skies cover about 22% of December, with mostly cloudy or overcast conditions the remaining 46%. Skies tend to open up as the month goes on.

0%25%50%75%100%151015202531
Clearer (%)Cloudier (%)
14852
24852
34852
44852
54852
64852
74951
84951
94951
105149
115149
125248
135347
145446
155545
165545
175644
185644
195743
205842
215842
225842
235842
245842
255743
265743
275743
285842
295842
305842
315842

Chance of precipitation in December

Any precipitation

Xai-Xai gets around 111 mm of rain over 10.8 wet days in December. The line is the day-by-day chance of measurable precipitation.

Day to day, the chance of measurable rain averages around 35% and peaks near 39% on the wettest days.

0%10%20%30%40%50%151015202531
Rain chance (%)
134
234
333
433
533
633
734
834
934
1034
1134
1234
1334
1434
1534
1634
1734
1834
1934
2034
2135
2235
2335
2436
2536
2637
2737
2838
2938
3038
3139

Humidity in December

DryComfortableHumidMuggyOppressiveMiserable

Most of December feels oppressive — the stacked bands show each day's mix of comfort levels, read off the dew point.

By dew point, December lands in the oppressive band about 45% of days. Sticky, muggy-or-worse air turns up on roughly 84% of them.

0%25%50%75%100%151015202531
Dry (%)Comfortable (%)Humid (%)Muggy (%)Oppressive (%)Miserable (%)
1162038341
2152038351
3152037361
4152037361
5142037371
6142037381
7031937391
8031937401
9031937401
10021836412
11021836422
12021736432
13011736442
14011636442
15011536453
16011536453
17011435463
18011435473
19011335484
20011235484
21011234494
22011134504
23011034505
2401934515
2501934515
2600834535
2700833545
2800733555
2900732556
3000732556
3100631576

Wind in December

Winds average 14 km/h in December.

Across December, daily wind ranges from about 14 km/h on the calmest days to 14 km/h at its breeziest. It stays fairly steady from day to day.

05101520151015202531
Wind speed (km/h)Feels
114light breeze
214light breeze
314light breeze
414light breeze
514light breeze
614light breeze
714light breeze
814light breeze
914light breeze
1014light breeze
1114light breeze
1214light breeze
1314light breeze
1414light breeze
1514light breeze
1614light breeze
1714light breeze
1814light breeze
1914light breeze
2014light breeze
2114light breeze
2214light breeze
2314light breeze
2414light breeze
2514light breeze
2614light breeze
2714light breeze
2814light breeze
2914light breeze
3014light breeze
3114light breeze

Sunrise & sunset in December

DaylightNight

Daylight runs from about 13 h 24 min at the start of December to 13 h 30 min by month's end. The lit band spans sunrise to sunset each day.

Days grow by about 6 minutes over December. Sunrise moves from 4:52 AM to 5:02 AM, and sunset from 6:19 PM to 6:35 PM.

12 AM4 AM8 AM12 PM4 PM8 PM12 AM151015202531
Daylight (h)Sunrise (AM)Sunset (PM)
113.44:526:19
213.54:526:19
313.54:526:20
413.54:526:21
513.54:526:21
613.54:526:22
713.54:536:23
813.54:536:23
913.54:536:24
1013.54:536:25
1113.54:536:25
1213.54:546:26
1313.54:546:26
1413.54:546:27
1513.54:556:28
1613.54:556:28
1713.64:556:29
1813.64:566:29
1913.64:566:30
2013.64:576:30
2113.64:576:31
2213.64:586:31
2313.64:586:32
2413.64:596:32
2513.64:596:33
2613.65:006:33
2713.65:006:33
2813.55:016:34
2913.55:016:34
3013.55:026:34
3113.55:026:35

Solar energy in December

Daily solar energy (kWh/m²)

Average shortwave solar energy reaching the ground each day in December, about 6.37 kWh/m² — the sunniest month for solar.

For context, solar energy here swings from a low near 3.43 kWh/m² to a high of 6.37 kWh/m² in December across the year — December's 6.37 kWh/m² sits near the top of that range.

0246151015202531
Solar energy (kWh/m²)Level
16.1Intense
26.1Intense
36.2Intense
46.2Intense
56.2Intense
66.2Intense
76.2Intense
86.3Intense
96.3Intense
106.3Intense
116.3Intense
126.3Intense
136.3Intense
146.4Intense
156.4Intense
166.4Intense
176.4Intense
186.4Intense
196.4Intense
206.5Intense
216.5Intense
226.5Intense
236.5Intense
246.5Intense
256.4Intense
266.4Intense
276.4Intense
286.4Intense
296.4Intense
306.4Intense
316.4Intense
Planning a trip in December

Hazard calendar for Xai-Xai

In seasonPeak

In December, Xai-Xai sits inside its cyclone and rainy season season. The full year is below, with each hazard's peak months called out.

Xai-Xai sits in the South Indian Ocean cyclone belt; the season peaks January–March.

Xai-Xai's rainy season runs November–March, when most of the year's rain falls.

Cyclone
Rainy season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Is December a good time to visit Xai-Xai?

Our two travel scores rate December for general sightseeing and for beach or pool weather — 0 (poor) to 10 (ideal).

4.8
Sightseeing
10th-best month of the year
6.7
Beach & pool
10th-best month of the year

December is a reasonable time to visit Xai-Xai for sightseeing. The water and warmth also suit a beach or pool day.

What to pack for Xai-Xai in December

From December's temperature range, rain chance, sun and wind — what's worth putting in the bag.

In December, Xai-Xai sees daytime highs around 30°C and nights near 23°C. Pack light clothes and sun protection. Worth having: rain gear. About 11 days see rain.

light clothessun protectionrain gear

Sea temperature near Xai-Xai in December

The nearest coast averages about 26°C in December — the other half of the beach question. The full-year curve and swim-comfort zones are below.

The sea offshore is warmest in February at about 28°C and coldest in August near 22°C.

The water stays above 20°C all year — warm enough for a swim any month.

20°22°24°26°28°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecrefreshingwarmtropicalcomfortable to swim
Sea temperature (°C)Comfort
Jan27Warm
Feb28Warm
Mar27Warm
Apr26Warm
May25Warm
Jun24Refreshing
Jul23Refreshing
Aug22Refreshing
Sep22Refreshing
Oct23Refreshing
Nov24Warm
Dec26Warm

UV index in Xai-Xai in December

LowModerateHighVery highExtreme

Clear-sky midday UV in December peaks around 12 (very high — sun protection essential). The full-year curve, shaded by WHO exposure level, is below.

Under clear skies, the midday UV index in Xai-Xai peaks around January 19 at about 14 (extreme) — sunscreen, a hat and midday shade are essential. It bottoms out near July 11 at about 5 (moderate).

The index reaches 3 or more — the level where the WHO recommends sun protection — every month of the year.

025710JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecExtremeVery highHighModerateHighVery highExtremeJan 19UV 14Jul 11UV 5
UV index (midday)Level
Jan14Extreme
Feb13Extreme
Mar11Extreme
Apr8Very high
May6High
Jun5Moderate
Jul5Moderate
Aug7High
Sep8Very high
Oct9Very high
Nov12Extreme
Dec12Extreme

Air quality in Xai-Xai in December

GoodModeratePoorUnhealthyVery unhealthy

Average fine-particle pollution (PM2.5) through the year — so you can see where December falls, not just the annual average.

Air quality in Xai-Xai is worst in September — around 16 µg/m³ PM2.5 (moderate), about 2.6× the cleanest month (January, 6 µg/m³).

Modeled monthly averages (CAMS reanalysis, 2015–2024).

01020JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecGoodModerateGoodSep 1316 µg/m³Jan 206 µg/m³
PM2.5 (µg/m³)Level
Jan6Good
Feb7Good
Mar7Good
Apr8Good
May10Good
Jun12Good
Jul12Moderate
Aug14Moderate
Sep16Moderate
Oct12Good
Nov9Good
Dec7Good
Location & terrain

Where is Xai-Xai?

Xai-Xai sits at 25.1°S, 33.6°E, 4 m above sea level, in Mozambique. The nearest listed city is Chibuto, 42 km away.

MaputoMatolaRessano Garcia

Topography around Xai-Xai

How much the land rises and falls, and what covers it, within 3, 16 and 80 km of Xai-Xai.

Within 3 km, the terrain around Xai-Xai has only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 89 m around an average of 10 m above sea level; within 16 km, only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 110 m; within 80 km, only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 158 m.

The land around Xai-Xai is covered by cropland (35%) within 3 km, grassland (31%) and cropland (31%) within 16 km, and trees (30%), water (30%) and grassland (27%) within 80 km.

3 km
89 m
16 km
110 m
80 km
158 m
treesshrubsgrasslandcroplandartificial surfaceswaterwetland
December weather nearby: Chibuto 42 km · Macia 55 km · Xilembene 56 km · Chokwé 88 km · Manhiça 93 km · Maputo 147 km · Matola 156 km · Ressano Garcia 171 km

Mozambique travel facts

Travel advisory
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Power plugs
Type C / F / M
220 V · 50 Hz
Prices
≈ 37% of US
price level, 2025
GDP per capita
$627
2025
Happiness
5.3 / 10
World Happiness, 2025
Safe drinking water
28%
of population, 2024
Homicide rate
3.6
per 100k, 2011
Road deaths
30
per 100k/yr, 2019
Income group
Low
World Bank
English
Low
EF EPI 465
Religion
Catholic 27%Islam 19%Pentecostal 17%Saio/Zione 16%

Sources: World Bank, US State Department, World Happiness Report, WHO/UNICEF, EF EPI, CIA World Factbook.

Data sources

Temperature, precipitation, cloud, humidity, wind and solar figures are a 1991–2020 climatology for Xai-Xai (-25.0519°, 33.6442°, elevation 4 m), computed from hourly ERA5 reanalysis — contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Sun figures are astronomical calculations, not observations. City data © GeoNames, CC BY 4.0. Map outlines from Natural Earth (public domain); interactive map © Google. Tropical-cyclone seasons are the published climatological basin seasons (NOAA National Hurricane Center / regional warning centres). Sea temperatures are the NOAA OISST v2.1 1991–2020 monthly climatology (public domain), sampled at the nearest ocean point. UV index is derived from CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) clear-sky UV data — contains modified Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information. Monthly air-quality (PM2.5) seasonality is from the CAMS EAC4 reanalysis (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service), scaled to the WHO annual mean where available. Topography is sampled from the Copernicus DEM GLO-90 elevation model (© ESA/Airbus) and ESA WorldCover 2021 land cover (CC BY 4.0).