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SunnyDays

ERA5 almanac — 8 years of real data

Dubai in December

Dubai in December: 5% of days see measurable rain, 79°F average high, 85% of days historically clear (n=248, ERA5 2018–2025).

Historically one of the better months to visit Dubai for sun: 85% of days are clear on average (n=248, avg high 79°F). Every percentage here is a historical average from 8 years of ERA5 data — not a forecast.

What you are reading: 8-year historical averages from the ERA5 reanalysis, not a forecast. A month that is historically 90% clear can still be overcast on your specific trip. For this week’s actual forecast, see the live Dubai page. Both can be true at once: “historically strong in this month; this particular week is not.” We label which is which.

Early vs. Late December

Clear-sky percentage for Dubai in December, split by half-month. “n” is the number of days sampled across 8 years (2018–2025).
Period % Clear days Sample (n) Avg high
Early December
1st–15th		 89% n=120 79°F
Late December
16th–end		 81% n=128 79°F
Full month average 85% n=248 79°F

Sunshine & warmth in December

A second measure using actual sunshine hours (ERA5 sunshine_duration), not the daily weather code. A Lowcountry day with 12 hours of sun and a 25-minute afternoon storm is counted below as a warm, sunny day — because it was. How we define this.

Sunshine-based metrics for Dubai in December. Primary: % of days ≥ 72°F with > 6 h of sunshine.
Period Warm & sunny (≥72°F, >6 h sun) Sample (n)
Early December
1st–15th		 98% n=120
Late December
16th–end		 95% n=128
Full month average 96% n=248
9.9 h median sunshine per day 95% of days exceed 8 h sunshine 5% of days see ≥ 1 mm rain — rain is not hidden
Comparison (old vs new): WMO-code “clear” bar: 85%. Sunshine-based “warm & sunny”: 96%. The 11-point gap is from brief afternoon convective storms that stamp the whole day as “rain” in the WMO code but leave the bulk of the sunshine untouched.

Bottom line

Dubai is historically one of the best destinations for sun in December: 85% of days meet the clear bar (avg high 79°F, n=248 days across 8 years). Pack for outdoor activity — this month consistently delivers.

Every month in Dubai

Compare across all months with data. Numbers are historical clear-sky %.

Historical clear-sky % for Dubai, all months, ERA5 2018–2025.
Month % Clear Sample (n)
January 71% n=248 All destinations →
February 73% n=226 All destinations →
March 87% n=248 All destinations →
April 94% n=240 All destinations →
May 98% n=248 All destinations →
June 100% n=240 All destinations →
July 97% n=248 All destinations →
August 100% n=248 All destinations →
September 100% n=240 All destinations →
October 96% n=248 All destinations →
November 91% n=240 All destinations →
December ← this page 85% n=248 All destinations →

Frequently asked

Does it rain in Dubai in December?

Rarely. Only 5% of days in Dubai see measurable rain in December, based on 8 years of ERA5 historical data (n=248 days, 2018–2025). This is a historical average, not a forecast.

Is Dubai good for sun in December?

Yes. Dubai is historically strong for sun in December: 85% of days are clear on average (avg high 79°F, n=248 days, ERA5 2018–2025).

How Dubai compares in December

Head-to-head clear-sky comparisons against destinations travelers plausibly weigh against Dubai this month — same passport tier, similar flight distance, both sides from the same 8-year ERA5 record.

All percentages are historical averages from the ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 8 full years (2018–2025). “Clear” means avg high ≥ 72 °F, precipitation < 1 mm, and a non-precipitation weather code. This is history, not a forecast. The live 7-day outlook for any destination is on its own page and may differ from the long-run average. Data from Open-Meteo.