Abu Dhabi weather in December

In December, Abu Dhabi sees average daytime highs of 26°C and overnight lows near 18°C, with 5 mm of rain across 1 wet days and about 10.5 hours of daylight. It is the 10th-warmest and 4th-wettest month of the year here.

Highs ease over the month, from about 27°C in the first days to 24°C by the end. The sky is clear or mostly clear about 75% of the time in December, and the air most often feels comfortable.

Daylight stretches from about 10 h 36 min at the start of December to 10 h 30 min by month's end. Set against the rest of the year, December is Abu Dhabi's 9th-clearest and 8th-windiest month. For the whole year in context, see Abu Dhabi's year-round climate.

Daytime high
26°
10th warmest
Overnight low
18°
3rd coldest
Rainfall
5 mm
1 wet days
Daylight
10 h 30 min
7:04 AM – 5:33 PM
Cloud cover
25%
9th clearest
Wind
13 km/h
8th windiest
Solar energy
4.1 kWh/m²
Travel score
8.9
out of 10

Abu Dhabi is capital city of the United Arab Emirates.

Air quality
Very high
PM2.5 44.4 µg/m³ · 2019
Density
1,859/km²
people per km²

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

Temperature in December

Average highAverage lowShaded bands: 10–90% of days

Highs ease over the month, from about 27°C in the first days to 24°C by the end.

A typical December day in Abu Dhabi reaches about 26°C in the afternoon and slips back to 18°C overnight — a 7°C spread between the day's warmth and the night's chill. On most days the high lands between 23°C and 28°C. Set against its neighbours, December runs about 4°C cooler than November and about 2°C warmer than January.

10°15°20°25°30°151015202531
Avg high (°C)Avg low (°C)
12720
22720
32720
42720
52720
62719
72719
82619
92619
102619
112619
122619
132619
142619
152618
162518
172518
182518
192518
202518
212518
222518
232518
242518
252517
262417
272417
282417
292417
302417
312417

How December really feels in Abu Dhabi

Once humidity and wind are folded in, December averages 0 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
0
heat index over the day's high
Days feeling ≤ C
0
wind chill below the day's low

December sits comfortably in between — no days that feel dangerously hot or drop to a hard freeze once humidity and wind are folded in.

Abu Dhabi weather by month

How December compares with the rest of the year at a glance. December is the 10th-warmest and 4th-wettest month here — the current month is highlighted below.

MonthHigh / Low (°C)Rainfall (mm)Wet daysDaylight (hours)Travel score
Jan23° / 16°91.610.78.8
Feb25° / 17°91.311.19.1
Mar28° / 19°131.611.87.9
Apr32° / 23°40.512.65.3
May36° / 27°00.113.22.7
Jun38° / 29°0013.51.3
Jul39° / 31°1013.40.4
Aug40° / 32°10.112.90.1
Sep38° / 29°0012.21.4
Oct35° / 26°10.111.43.7
Nov30° / 22°30.710.86.9
Dec26° / 18°5110.58.9

Cloud cover in December

ClearMostly clearPartly cloudyMostly cloudyOvercast

The sky is clear or mostly clear about 75% of the time in December.

Beyond those clear spells, partly cloudy skies cover about 10% of December, with mostly cloudy or overcast conditions the remaining 14%.

0%25%50%75%100%151015202531
Clearer (%)Cloudier (%)
19010
28812
38812
48812
58713
68614
78614
88614
98614
108515
118515
128515
138515
148515
158614
168614
178614
188614
198614
208614
218614
228614
238614
248614
258614
268515
278614
288614
298515
308515
318515

Chance of precipitation in December

Any precipitation

Abu Dhabi gets around 5 mm of rain over 1 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 3% and peaks near 4% on the wettest days.

0%10%20%30%151015202531
Rain chance (%)
13
23
33
43
53
64
74
84
94
104
114
124
134
144
154
164
174
184
194
203
213
223
233
243
252
262
272
282
292
302
312

Humidity in December

DryComfortableHumidMuggyOppressiveMiserable

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

By dew point, December lands in the comfortable band about 36% of days. Sticky, muggy-or-worse air turns up on roughly 10% of them.

0%25%50%75%100%151015202531
Dry (%)Comfortable (%)Humid (%)Muggy (%)Oppressive (%)
1102844171
2112943161
3122942161
4133041151
5143040151
6153138141
7163237131
8173336121
9183435111
10193535101
1119363491
1220373391
1320383381
1421393281
1521393270
1621403170
1722403170
1822403170
1923403070
2024393070
2125392970
2226382970
2327382870
2428382870
2529372770
2630372670
2731372670
2831372560
2932382460
3033382360
3134392250

Wind in December

Winds average 13 km/h in December.

Across December, daily wind ranges from about 13 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
113light breeze
213light breeze
313light breeze
413light breeze
513light breeze
613light breeze
714light breeze
814light breeze
914light breeze
1014light breeze
1114light breeze
1214light breeze
1314light breeze
1414light breeze
1514light breeze
1614light breeze
1713light breeze
1813light breeze
1913light breeze
2013light breeze
2113light breeze
2213light breeze
2313light breeze
2413light breeze
2513light breeze
2613light breeze
2713light breeze
2813light breeze
2913light breeze
3013light breeze
3113light breeze

Sunrise & sunset in December

DaylightNight

Daylight runs from about 10 h 36 min at the start of December to 10 h 30 min by month's end. The lit band spans sunrise to sunset each day.

Days shrink by about 6 minutes over December. Sunrise moves from 6:54 AM to 7:10 AM, and sunset from 5:30 PM to 5:41 PM.

12 AM4 AM8 AM12 PM4 PM8 PM12 AM151015202531
Daylight (h)Sunrise (AM)Sunset (PM)
110.66:545:30
210.66:555:30
310.66:565:30
410.66:565:30
510.66:575:30
610.56:585:31
710.56:585:31
810.56:595:31
910.57:005:31
1010.57:005:31
1110.57:015:32
1210.57:015:32
1310.57:025:32
1410.57:035:33
1510.57:035:33
1610.57:045:33
1710.57:045:34
1810.57:055:34
1910.57:055:35
2010.57:065:35
2110.57:065:35
2210.57:075:36
2310.57:075:36
2410.57:085:37
2510.57:085:37
2610.57:095:38
2710.57:095:38
2810.57:095:39
2910.57:105:40
3010.57:105:40
3110.57:105:41

Solar energy in December

Daily solar energy (kWh/m²)

Average shortwave solar energy reaching the ground each day in December, about 4.1 kWh/m² — the year's lowest.

For context, solar energy here swings from a low near 4.1 kWh/m² to a high of 7.6 kWh/m² in May across the year — December's 4.1 kWh/m² sits near the bottom.

012345151015202531
Solar energy (kWh/m²)Level
14.3Bright
24.3Bright
34.3Bright
44.2Bright
54.2Bright
64.2Bright
74.2Bright
84.2Bright
94.2Bright
104.1Bright
114.1Bright
124.1Bright
134.1Bright
144.1Bright
154.1Bright
164.1Bright
174.1Bright
184.1Bright
194.1Bright
204.1Bright
214.1Bright
224.1Bright
234.1Bright
244.1Bright
254.1Bright
264.1Bright
274.1Bright
284.1Bright
294.1Bright
304.1Bright
314.1Bright
Planning a trip in December

Hazard calendar for Abu Dhabi

In seasonPeak

In December, Abu Dhabi sits inside its cyclone season. The full year is below, with each hazard's peak months called out.

Abu Dhabi sits in the North Indian Ocean cyclone zone; the season peaks May and October–November.

Abu Dhabi sees seasonal dust haze (March–August), heaviest in July.

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

Is December a good time to visit Abu Dhabi?

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

8.9
Sightseeing
2nd-best month of the year
8.2
Beach & pool
4th-best month of the year

December is one of the better times to visit Abu Dhabi for general sightseeing. The water and warmth also suit a beach or pool day.

What to pack for Abu Dhabi in December

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

In December, Abu Dhabi sees daytime highs around 26°C and nights near 18°C. Worth packing: light clothes.

light clothes

Sea temperature near Abu Dhabi in December

The nearest coast averages about 24°C in December — the other half of the beach question. The full-year curve and swim-comfort zones are below.

The sea at the nearest coast (about 19 km away) is warmest in August at about 34°C and coldest in February near 21°C.

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

20°25°30°35°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDeccoolrefreshingwarmtropicalcomfortable to swim
Sea temperature (°C)Comfort
Jan22Refreshing
Feb21Refreshing
Mar22Refreshing
Apr25Warm
May29Tropical
Jun32Tropical
Jul33Tropical
Aug34Tropical
Sep33Tropical
Oct31Tropical
Nov28Tropical
Dec24Warm

UV index in Abu Dhabi in December

LowModerateHighVery highExtreme

Clear-sky midday UV in December peaks around 5 — enough to warrant sun protection. The full-year curve, shaded by WHO exposure level, is below.

Under clear skies, the midday UV index in Abu Dhabi peaks around May 18 at about 10 (extreme) — sunscreen, a hat and midday shade are essential. It bottoms out near December 16 at about 5 (moderate).

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

025710JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecHighVery highVery highVery highHighMay 18UV 10Dec 16UV 5
UV index (midday)Level
Jan6High
Feb9Very high
Mar8Very high
Apr9Very high
May11Extreme
Jun9Very high
Jul10Very high
Aug10Extreme
Sep8Very high
Oct8Very high
Nov6High
Dec5Moderate

Air quality in Abu Dhabi 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 Abu Dhabi is worst in July — around 72 µg/m³ PM2.5 (unhealthy), about 2.7× the cleanest month (November, 26 µg/m³).

Seasonal pattern from CAMS reanalysis, scaled to Abu Dhabi's WHO annual average of 44.4 µg/m³.

020406080JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecModeratePoorUnhealthyPoorModerateJul 2271 µg/m³Nov 2326 µg/m³
PM2.5 (µg/m³)Level
Jan31Moderate
Feb37Poor
Mar44Poor
Apr43Poor
May47Poor
Jun53Poor
Jul72Unhealthy
Aug69Unhealthy
Sep50Poor
Oct35Poor
Nov26Moderate
Dec26Moderate
Location & terrain

Where is Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi sits at 24.5°N, 54.4°E, 6 m above sea level, in United Arab Emirates. The nearest listed city is Musaffah, 13 km away.

Bani Yas CityAl Shamkhah CityJebel AliDubai Investments ParkAl Furjan

Topography around Abu Dhabi

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

Within 3 km, the terrain around Abu Dhabi has only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 27 m around an average of 4 m above sea level; within 16 km, only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 39 m; within 80 km, only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 167 m.

The land around Abu Dhabi is covered by artificial surfaces (53%) within 3 km, water (57%) and bare terrain (22%) within 16 km, and bare terrain (53%) and water (44%) within 80 km.

3 km
27 m
16 km
39 m
80 km
167 m
treesshrubsgrasslandcroplandartificial surfacesbare terrainwatermangroves
December weather nearby: Musaffah 13 km · Mohammed Bin Zayed City 20 km · Khalifah A City 21 km · Bani Yas City 28 km · Al Shamkhah City 32 km · Jebel Ali 94 km · Dubai Investments Park 99 km · Al Furjan 99 km

United Arab Emirates travel facts

Travel advisory
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Power plugs
Type G
230 V · 50 Hz
Prices
≈ 63% of US
price level, 2024
GDP per capita
$50,274
2024
Happiness
6.8 / 10
World Happiness, 2025
Safe drinking water
99%
of population, 2024
Homicide rate
0.7
per 100k, 2022
Road deaths
8.9
per 100k/yr, 2019
Income group
High
World Bank
English
Low
EF EPI 487

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 Abu Dhabi (24.4512°, 54.397°, elevation 6 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).