Natal weather in December
December in Natal: sweltering, a little rain, with clean air — an excellent time to visit.
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
#5 of 12 months in Natal · #180 of 1413 destinations to visit in December · comfort 88/100 (tier A)
- Days
- 31°C
- Nights
- 26°C
- Wet days
- 17
- Sun
- 11.3 h
- Humidity
- 74%
- Daylight
- 13 h
Traveller notes on Natal in December
Other months in Natal
Natal's forum is upfront that May sits in the region's rainy season, a real contrast to the near-zero-rain stretch from September through January that posters consistently recommend as the better window for beach days. That said, one traveler who spent a full week in Natal in May said they still enjoyed it, timing outdoor plans around the forecast rather than skipping the trip - May even hosts a beachfront rock festival that goes ahead regardless. Expect warm, humid days with a real chance of rain most days, and build flexibility into any day-trip plans.
Forum posters consistently name Rio Grande do Norte (Natal's state) as one of the driest, most reliable stretches of Brazilian coast in November, with close to zero rainfall typical this time of year - a sharp contrast to the wetter late-March-through-early-May window posters name as Natal's actual rainy stretch. For travelers planning an exclusively beach-focused, dry trip, posters specifically recommend the northeastern coast (Natal, Fortaleza and nearby beaches) over Rio or Salvador, which even in November's broader dry season can still see occasional, if lighter, showers. The overall read from posters: November in Natal means warm, sunny, dependable beach weather with minimal rain risk.
Add your own note from Natal's card on the map.
Natal climate normals — December
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Natal in December
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
Peak crowdsCarnatal, Brazilian summer season, Summer holidays in Brazil(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Natal's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Fair weatherNatal's weather doesn't swing hard through the year — comfort stays fairly steady in every month.
What's on in Natal in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Season
Trade-wind season
1 Aug – 15 Jan · usuallyThe alisios blow hard and steadily along this coast from August, which is why the kite schools north and south of the city fill from September. Beach umbrellas and restaurant tables lose out.
- Festival
Carnatal
4–6 DecCarnivalCrowdedBook earlyThe city's out-of-season carnival runs three nights around the Arena das Dunas in early December, trios electricos towing blocos behind them. Hotels charge New Year rates for it. Source ↗
- Season
Brazilian summer season
15 Dec – 28 FebSchool holidaysCrowdedSchool is out across the country and the northeast beaches are where it goes. Buggy runs to the dunes book out a day ahead in January and the seafront restaurants keep a queue.
- Season
Reveillon on Ponta Negra
25 Dec – 1 Jan · usuallyChristmas & New YearCrowdedBook earlyThe city's New Year happens on the Ponta Negra seafront, stage and fireworks on the sand and a crowd in six figures. Getting a taxi off the beach afterwards takes hours.
Where is Natal?
Natal in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Natal?
- December in Natal: sweltering, a little rain, with clean air — an excellent time to visit. It ranks #5 of 12 months for Natal on SeasonMap's comfort score (88/100).
- What is the weather like in Natal in December?
- In December, Natal averages a daily high of 31.4°C and a low of 25.8°C, with about 44.9 mm of rain over roughly 16.7 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Natal in December?
- Natal has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 37 in December.