What December feels like in Delhi
December is early winter in Delhi, although winter here means mild days rather than cold ones. Mild afternoons make it easy to spend hours outdoors. Nights are cool; with a gap of about 12.6°C (22.7°F) between afternoon and night, early mornings can surprise you. The air is fairly humid, though at these temperatures it rarely feels oppressive.
Rain in Delhi in December
Dry weather dominates, and an umbrella can mostly stay packed. Each rainy day adds about 7.1 mm (0.3 in), a proper wetting rather than a sprinkle. That is close to Delhi's typical rain per wet day for the whole year (about 8.3 mm). It is among the three driest months of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in December
In mid-December, sunrise is at about 7:07 am and sunset at about 5:27 pm (local time) — 10 h 20 min of daylight. Compared with mid-November, the day has lost 25 min. The sun is out for roughly 91% of those daylight hours, so skies are mostly clear.
How December compares to the rest of the year
December is the 2nd coolest month of the year in Delhi. Compared with November, afternoons are 5.3°C (9.5°F) cooler, with 1 mm more rain. Temperatures keep falling into January. By January, typical highs are 19.6°C (67.3°F).
Who December suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — the weather rarely gets in the way of a city walk.
- Parks & outdoor: a good fit — good conditions for sitting outside.
Tips for visiting Delhi in December
Versatile Layers
Pack pieces you can take off by noon and put back on at dusk.
Sunglasses
Plenty of sun, so bring sunglasses and a cap.
Quick questions
How warm is Delhi in December?
Afternoons average 21.8°C (71.2°F) and nights about 9.2°C (48.6°F) — mild by most people's standards. It is the 2nd coolest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in Delhi in December?
No — December is one of the drier times, with about 1 rainy days and 7 mm in total.
What should I wear in Delhi in December?
The numbers point to versatile layers and sunglasses. Add a layer for after dark.
Is December or January better for visiting Delhi?
December scores better on our climate ranking (#1 of 12 vs #2), rated Great against Great. January is cooler and has more rainy days.