When to go · Petra
Petra in December
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Mar–May, Oct–Nov). Across Jordan: Cold rain in Amman and Petra; Christmas in Madaba and Fuheis; Aqaba and the Dead Sea warm.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) / 6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 5
- Crowds
- Low
- Jordan overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Jordan overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Mar–May, Oct–Nov). Across Jordan: Cold rain in Amman and Petra; Christmas in Madaba and Fuheis; Aqaba and the Dead Sea warm.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- PetraHighs around 16 °C (61 °F), lows around 6 °C (43 °F), rain on about 5 daysHighs around 61 °F (16 °C), lows around 43 °F (6 °C), rain on about 5 days
- Petra, Dana and Wadi Rum, Jordan · Wadi Musa, Dana, Wadi Rumcool
Petra sits near 1,000 m: freezing winter nights and occasional snow; flash floods Oct–Apr. Desert days are hot Jun–Aug but nights are cool.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Jordan overall
- Low
- Prices · Jordan overall
- Medium
Jordan overall: Cold rain in Amman and Petra; Christmas in Madaba and Fuheis; Aqaba and the Dead Sea warm.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Petra, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Mixed
Mar: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
Mar: 20 °C (68 °F)68 °F (20 °C)
Night low
Dec: 6 °C (43 °F)43 °F (6 °C)
Mar: 8 °C (46 °F)46 °F (8 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 5
Mar: 5
Crowds
Dec: Low
Mar: Medium
Prices
Dec: Medium
Mar: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 0
Mar: 2
December: Outside the best window (Mar–May, Oct–Nov). Across Jordan: Cold rain in Amman and Petra; Christmas in Madaba and Fuheis; Aqaba and the Dead Sea warm.
March: Inside Petra's best window: Mar–May, Oct–Nov.
Petra: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm layer for the evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket