What is the weather like in Edinburgh in December?

Expect temperatures between 3°C and 7°C with 32% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Edinburgh in December?

Edinburgh in December scores 64/100 based on 30 years of climate data. A reasonable choice for your trip.

Who should visit Edinburgh in December?

December in Edinburgh is ideal for: Cultural tourists, Business travelers.

Edinburgh Weather in December | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

7°C

Hottest around day 16

Avg Low

3°C

Coolest around day 27

Rainy Days

23days

32% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Winter season

Sea Temperature in December

North Sea

6.7°C

Monthly Average

Water Feel

🥶Polar Plunge

Consider a wetsuit for extended swimming

Swim Rating

❄️Cold water hazard

Based on average sea surface temperature

Body of Water

North Sea

Edinburgh coastline

Essential Travel Info for Edinburgh

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

Currency

GBP

£ British pound

Language

English

Driving

Left side

Connect

As of Nov 2023, the entire city and its ...

Safety

High Safety

GPI: 1.667

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Edinburgh

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

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Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Moderate

51/ 100

Traffic Index

Balanced traffic

Peak Daily Arrivals

slots per day

Peak

Aug

Low

Jan

Monthly Traffic Distribution

118

Jan

153

Feb

158

Mar

180

Apr

203

May

202

Jun

125

Jul

212

Aug

208

Sep

191

Oct

131

Nov

173

Dec

Traffic Level

Low Season

Key Connections

Dublin (DUB)

London Heathrow (LHR)

Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)

Belfast (BFS)

Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)

Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

8 Recommendations

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.

Hepatitis A

Consider hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers. It is recommended for travelers who will be doing higher risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where a traveler might get infected through food or water. It is recommended for travelers who plan on eating street food.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to the United Kingdom. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to the United Kingdom.

Measles

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.

Polio

In the United Kingdom poliovirus has been identified in the past year.Travelers to the United Kingdom are at increased risk of exposure to poliovirus.Vaccine recommendations: Adults traveling to the United Kingdom who received a complete polio vaccination series as children may receive a single lifetime booster dose of inactivated polio vaccine; travelers who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated should receive a complete polio vaccination series before travel. Children who are not fully vaccinated will be considered for anaccelerated vaccination schedule.

Rabies

Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in the United Kingdom.If rabies exposures occur while in the United Kingdom, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country.Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.For more information, seecountry rabies status assessments.

+2 more

Source: CDC Travelers' Health

View Complete Health Guide

Is December a Good Time to Visit Edinburgh?

👌A reasonable choice for your trip(64/100)

Short Answer

Cold but characterful December in Edinburgh: 7°C daytime temperatures, fewer crowds, and December-specific atmosphere. Not for sun-seekers, but ideal for cozy indoor experiences.

Decision Factors

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Very high humidity

85% average humidity

Cold sea - swimming challenging

6.7°C sea temperature - Polar Plunge

Health precautions needed

Be aware of: Leptospirosis, Hantavirus, Tuberculosis (TB)

Calm, family-friendly seas

0.48m wave height - Fun Waves

Shoulder season - balanced conditions

82% of peak - good value with moderate crowds

Good For

🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather

Who Should Avoid

🏖️
Beach lovers
Sea temperature only 6.7°C - too cold for comfortable swimming
👴
Elderly travelers
85% humidity creates difficult conditions
💑
Honeymoon couples
Wedding score only 43/100 - better months available

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Edinburgh in December averages 7°C with 32% precipitation probability."

📊 Source: 30YearWeather.com🛰️ Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)View Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: Edinburgh in December

What are the temperatures in Edinburgh in December?

Daytime highs average 7°C, nights drop to 3°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Edinburgh in December?

Expect around 23 days with measurable rainfall. An umbrella is advisable.

What to wear in Edinburgh in December?

Warm winter clothing: insulated jacket, boots, gloves.

Is December peak season in Edinburgh?

This is shoulder season—moderate prices and manageable crowds.

Edinburgh Weather in December