Early winter · Weather & things to do
Petra & Wadi Musa in December
Petra & Wadi Musa cools off: highs slip to 60°F (15°C), from 69°F in November, with lows of 40°F (4°C) and about 1.0 in (26 mm) of rain.
At 90/100 for comfort (6th of 12), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 60°F (15°C)
- Avg low
- 40°F (4°C)
- Rain
- 1.0 in (26 mm)
- Humidity
- 63%
- Cloud cover
- 36%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 03 min
- Comfort score
- 90/100 · Great
What December feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 60°F (15°C), good for long walks.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 40°F (4°C).
It's one of the drier stretches, with only about 1.0 in (26 mm) of rain.
Plan around December
December is one of Petra & Wadi Musa's best months on the climate data.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (December – February), which brings about 4.2 in (107 mm) in total.
- Last of the best-scoring months: by January, the score drops to 81/100.
- Shortest days of the year, about 10 h 03 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 100/100 in November to 90/100.
- Our Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea route recommends Mar – May, Sep – Nov, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 40°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Petra & Wadi Musa in December
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Monastery (Ad Deir)
Climb about 800 rock-cut steps to Petra's largest facade and nearby viewpoints.
Why now December scores 90/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)
Smaller, quieter Nabataean site with a painted ceiling, 9 km north of Wadi Musa.
Al Qantarah Restaurant
Buffet restaurant near the Petra gate known for zarb, meat and rice cooked underground.
Petra by Night
Candle-lit walk through the Siq to the Treasury with Bedouin music, three nights a week.
Why now Highs near 60°F and 1.0 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Petra Kitchen
Evening cooking class where you make and eat a Jordanian mezze and main course.
Nearby in December
- Wadi Rum in December~52 mi · highs 62°F, 0.2 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, drier
- Dead Sea in December~96 mi · highs 69°F, 1.3 in rain · 5°C (10°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Amman in December~116 mi · highs 58°F, 2.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Cairo & Giza in December~252 mi · highs 69°F, 0.3 in rain · 5°C (10°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,114 m to Petra & Wadi Musa's ~888 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Petra & Wadi Musa in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Petra & Wadi Musa?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 90/100. Expect highs of 60°F (15°C) and 1.0 in (26 mm) of rain. Our Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea route recommends Mar – May, Sep – Nov, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Petra & Wadi Musa in December?
Average highs are 60°F (15°C) and average lows 40°F (4°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Petra & Wadi Musa in December?
Not much: about 1.0 in (26 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 6.4 in (163 mm).
What should I pack for Petra & Wadi Musa in December?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 40°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Petra & Wadi Musa
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