Monthly climate guide

Nice in December

December in Nice is early winter, with a settled seasonal pattern already in place. The overall feel is cool without being harsh, with a noticeable cool-down after sunset. Daylight is shorter, so timing matters more than in longer-day months. Most days feel close to what the averages suggest, with straightforward pacing.

Annual ranking snapshot

Ranked across 12 months

December in context

How it compares to the rest of the year in Nice.

Hottest (avg)
COOLER
#10 / 12

On the cooler side.

Wettest (avg)
WETTER
#3 / 12

Among the wetter months.

Daylight Hours
SHORTER
#12 / 12

Shorter days.

Windiest (avg)
WIND
#4 / 12

Close to the yearly wind average.

Highest UV
UV
#12 / 12

UV is gentler than usual.

Most Humid
HUMID
#3 / 12

Humidity sits on the higher side.

Climate normals

Four planning pillars

Monthly climate breakdown

A detailed look at the typical climate conditions for December.

Thermal profile

Temperature

Typical daytime high

Nighttime low
Feels like (avg)

Light window

Sunshine

9 h

Average daylight

UV index (max)
2
Typical sun hours
07:56 - 16:56

Wet-day pattern

Rain & Snow

Typical rainfall

Rainy days
10 days
Cloud cover (avg)
53%
Snowfall

Air feel

Humidity & Wind

76%

Average humidity

Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Historical daily baseline

Daily climate explorer

Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through December in Nice. Based on a 30-year historical climate baseline, not a forecast.

Primary control

Select a day

Scroll to compare daily conditions. The summary updates with your selection.

Secondary context

Monthly trend

Day 15 selected

Median daytime highs across the month, with a softer low line.

Daily climate explorer for DecemberMonthly trend chart for the selected climate metric, with the chosen day marked.0510152011631°C
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range

Day 15 selected for December. Temperature 13.1°C.

Historical disruption baseline

Typical disruptions in December

Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in December.

Cold High impact

Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 68% of days (21.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

21.1 days / month

Share of days
~68% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~5°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~21 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Rain High impact

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 14% of days (4.3 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

4.3 days / month

Share of days
~14% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~45mm (P95)
Why this matters

Rain disruption risk appears on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 14% of days (4.3 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

4.3 days / month

Share of days
~14% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~45mm (P95)
Why this matters

Washout conditions are possible on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Wind High impact

Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 3% of days (1.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.0 days / month

Share of days
~3% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~85km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Strong gusts are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Wind High impact

Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 3% of days (0.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.9 days / month

Share of days
~3% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~78km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Snow Moderate

Snow days Measures: Snow days (>=0.1mm snowfall). Observed about 10% of days (3.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.0 days / month

Share of days
~10% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~4.7mm (P95)
Why this matters

Snowfall is possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Show all disruptions (19 more)
Rain High impact

Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.5 days / month

Share of days
~8% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~50mm (P95)
Why this matters

Heavy rain is possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 1.0 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.0 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~52mm (P95)
Why this matters

Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 3% of days (0.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.8 days / month

Share of days
~3% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~65mm (P95)
Why this matters

Very heavy rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Wind High impact

Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.2 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~97km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Severe gusts are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Daylight Minor

Short daylight Measures: Short daylight days (<=9h). Observed about 68% of days (21.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

21.1 days / month

Share of days
~68% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~9.0h (P95)
Why this matters

Short daylight windows are possible on ~21 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cloud Minor

Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 45% of days (14.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

14.1 days / month

Share of days
~45% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Cloudy skies are possible on ~14 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Humidity Minor

High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 42% of days (13.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

13.0 days / month

Share of days
~42% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~91% (P95)
Why this matters

High humidity is possible on ~13 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Rain Minor

Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 40% of days (12.3 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

12.3 days / month

Share of days
~40% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~32mm (P95)
Why this matters

Measurable rain is possible on ~12 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cold Minor

Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 32% of days (9.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

9.9 days / month

Share of days
~32% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~5°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold nights are possible on ~10 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Rain Minor

Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 31% of days (9.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

9.5 days / month

Share of days
~31% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~23h (P95)
Why this matters

Several rainy hours are possible on ~10 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Cloud Minor

Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 26% of days (8.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

8.1 days / month

Share of days
~26% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~8 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain Minor

Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 24% of days (7.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

7.4 days / month

Share of days
~24% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~24h (P95)
Why this matters

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~7 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Wind Minor

Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 18% of days (5.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

5.7 days / month

Share of days
~18% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~78km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Gusty conditions are possible on ~6 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Cold Minor

Cold days Measures: Cold days (max <=10C). Observed about 15% of days (4.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

4.5 days / month

Share of days
~15% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~10°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold daytime conditions are possible on ~5 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Cloud Minor

Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 11% of days (3.3 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.3 days / month

Share of days
~11% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Overcast skies are possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cold Minor

Cold snap run Measures: Cold snap runs (>=3 cold days). Observed about 0.8 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.8 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~10°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold snap runs are possible on ~1 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Visibility Minor

Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 1% of days (0.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.5 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~95% (P95)
Why this matters

Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Other Minor

Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 1% of days (0.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.5 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~95 (P95)
Why this matters

Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cold Minor

Freezing nights Measures: Freezing nights (min <=0C). Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.4 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~-0°C (P95)
Why this matters

Freezing nights are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Travel planning FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.

Is December a good time to visit Nice?

Typical December days in Nice reach highs of 13°C (55°F) with nights around 6°C (43°F). It usually feels cool by day and cold after dark. It is among the wetter months, so it is wise to have some indoor backup plans or flexible activities.

What are temperatures like in December?

Daytime temperatures in December typically peak near 13°C (55°F), while nights drop to around 6°C (43°F). Expect cool afternoons and cold evenings.

How much does it rain in December?

Rainfall in December averages 86 mm (3.4 in) across roughly 10 days. Overall it is a quite rainy time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.

How many hours of daylight are there in December?

You can expect about 9 hours of daylight in December. Sunrise is typically around 07:56 and sunset near 16:56. Daylight is quite limited, and it can feel like a short-day season.

How strong is the sun in December?

UV levels are usually low (around 2), so standard sun protection is enough.

Is it windy in December?

In December, average wind speeds are around 7 km/h (4 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 49 km/h (30 mph). On the ground, it is it often feels breezy, especially in more exposed spots or along the coast.

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