Avg High
Edinburgh in December
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
7h
What to expect
December in Edinburgh is early winter, with a settled seasonal pattern already in place. The month leans cold in practice, with only small changes from morning to evening. Most days feel close to what the averages suggest, with straightforward pacing. Daylight is shorter, so timing matters more than in longer-day months.
December in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Edinburgh.
Hottest (avg)
#11 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#2 / 12
Daylight Hours
#12 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#3 / 12
Highest UV
#12 / 12
Most Humid
#1 / 12
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 7.1 h
- UV index (max)
- 1
- Typical sun hours
- 08:35 - 15:40
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 17 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 74%
- Snowfall
-
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 87%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for December. Typical high 6.2°C and low 3.0°C.
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 98% of days (30.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
30.5 days / month
~98% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 30.5 days / month
- Probability ~98% of days
- Intensity Up to ~3°C (P95)
Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~30 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Wind High impact
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 28% of days (8.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.8 days / month
~28% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.8 days / month
- Probability ~28% of days
- Intensity Up to ~99km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~9 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Cold High impact
Freezing nights Measures: Freezing nights (min <=0C). Observed about 26% of days (8.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.0 days / month
~26% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.0 days / month
- Probability ~26% of days
- Intensity Up to ~-0°C (P95)
Freezing nights are possible on ~8 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain High impact
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 18% of days (5.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.6 days / month
~18% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.6 days / month
- Probability ~18% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~6 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 17% of days (5.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.4 days / month
~17% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.4 days / month
- Probability ~17% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~5 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 9% of days (2.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.7 days / month
~9% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.7 days / month
- Probability ~9% of days
- Intensity Up to ~115km/h (P95)
Severe gusts are possible on ~3 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Show all disruptions (25 more)
Wind High impact
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 6% of days (1.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.8 days / month
~6% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.8 days / month
- Probability ~6% of days
- Intensity Up to ~113km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
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.
1.0 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.0 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~16mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Wind disruption Measures: Disruptive wind days. Observed about 2% of days (0.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.8 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.8 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~108km/h (P95)
Disruptive wind is possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain High impact
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.3 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.3 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~38mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Wind disruption run Measures: Multi-day wind disruption runs. Observed about 0.1 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.1 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.1 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~94km/h (P95)
Multi-day disruptive wind runs are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Visibility Moderate
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 13% of days (4.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.1 days / month
~13% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.1 days / month
- Probability ~13% of days
- Intensity Up to ~98% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~4 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cold Moderate
Wind chill risk Measures: Wind chill risk days. Observed about 13% of days (3.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.9 days / month
~13% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.9 days / month
- Probability ~13% of days
- Intensity Up to ~-0°C (P95)
Wind chill risk is possible on ~4 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Cold Moderate
Hard freeze nights Measures: Hard freeze nights (min <=-2C). Observed about 12% of days (3.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.8 days / month
~12% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.8 days / month
- Probability ~12% of days
- Intensity Up to ~-2°C (P95)
Hard freeze conditions are possible on ~4 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Snow Moderate
Snow days Measures: Snow days (>=0.1mm snowfall). Observed about 12% of days (3.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.8 days / month
~12% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.8 days / month
- Probability ~12% of days
- Intensity Up to ~4.5mm (P95)
Snowfall is possible on ~4 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Moderate
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 7% of days (2.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.2 days / month
~7% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.2 days / month
- Probability ~7% of days
- Intensity Up to ~28mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cold Moderate
Cold snap run Measures: Cold snap runs (>=3 cold days). Observed about 2.2 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.2 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.2 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~9°C (P95)
Cold snap runs are possible on ~2 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Daylight Minor
Short daylight Measures: Short daylight days (<=9h). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
31.0 days / month
~100% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 31.0 days / month
- Probability ~100% of days
- Intensity Up to ~7.4h (P95)
Short daylight windows are possible on ~31 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 90% of days (27.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
27.8 days / month
~90% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 27.8 days / month
- Probability ~90% of days
- Intensity Up to ~96% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~28 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Cold Minor
Cold days Measures: Cold days (max <=10C). Observed about 84% of days (26.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
26.2 days / month
~84% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 26.2 days / month
- Probability ~84% of days
- Intensity Up to ~10°C (P95)
Cold daytime conditions are possible on ~26 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Cold Minor
Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 80% of days (24.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
24.7 days / month
~80% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 24.7 days / month
- Probability ~80% of days
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold nights are possible on ~25 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Cloud Minor
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 76% of days (23.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
23.6 days / month
~76% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 23.6 days / month
- Probability ~76% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~24 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind Minor
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 64% of days (20.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
20.0 days / month
~64% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 20.0 days / month
- Probability ~64% of days
- Intensity Up to ~93km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~20 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain Minor
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 62% of days (19.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
19.1 days / month
~62% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 19.1 days / month
- Probability ~62% of days
- Intensity Up to ~14mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~19 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 52% of days (16.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
16.0 days / month
~52% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 16.0 days / month
- Probability ~52% of days
- Intensity Up to ~19h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~16 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 50% of days (15.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
15.5 days / month
~50% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 15.5 days / month
- Probability ~50% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~16 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 36% of days (11.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.2 days / month
~36% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.2 days / month
- Probability ~36% of days
- Intensity Up to ~21h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~11 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cloud Minor
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 21% of days (6.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
6.6 days / month
~21% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 6.6 days / month
- Probability ~21% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~7 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind Minor
Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 20% of days (6.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
6.2 days / month
~20% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 6.2 days / month
- Probability ~20% of days
- Intensity Up to ~37km/h (P95)
Breezy conditions are possible on ~6 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
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 13% of days (4.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.1 days / month
~13% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.1 days / month
- Probability ~13% of days
- Intensity Up to ~98 (P95)
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~4 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind Minor
Windy days Measures: Windy days (mean wind >=35 km/h). Observed about 2% of days (0.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.8 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.8 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~40km/h (P95)
Strong mean winds are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time to visit Edinburgh?
Typical December days in Edinburgh reach highs of 6°C (43°F) with nights around 2°C (36°F). It usually feels chilly 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?
In December, you can usually expect highs of 6°C (43°F) and lows near 2°C (36°F). That means chilly days and cold nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.
How much does it rain in December?
Rainfall in December averages 82 mm (3.2 in) across roughly 17 days. Overall it is a very wet 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 7 hours of daylight in December. Sunrise is typically around 08:35 and sunset near 15:40. 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 1), so standard sun protection is enough.
Is it windy in December?
In December, average wind speeds are around 17 km/h (11 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 78 km/h (48 mph). On the ground, it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.