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Derry Weather in December

Derry in December sees low temperatures, with highs around 9°C (48°F) and overnight lows of 3°C (37°F). Rainfall is fairly high at around 99 mm (3.9 in) on average, so pack waterproofs just in case.

Rainfall in Derry in December

Typically, you can expect about 23 days of rain this month, with 99 mm (3.9 in) on average. Rain is frequent but mostly light this month, with brief showers more common than heavy downpours.

Temperature in Derry in December

Daytime highs in Derry in December reach 9°C (48°F), with nights around 3°C (37°F). December marks the winter season. Expect a cold feel throughout the day, not just in the mornings and evenings. Warm layers are essential. Nights drop to 3°C (37°F). Cold nights like these are actually great for sleeping well, as long as you have a warm enough duvet.

Sunshine in Derry in December

With limited sunshine this month, there are about 39 hours of sun. It's ideal for those who prefer a cooler, cloudier climate.

December in Derry has its charm, but if you're looking for destinations with pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, our weather planner can help you explore other options in the world.

Select a Month

Check the conditions for any month of the year.

For a detailed overview over the year and the best time to visit Ireland, check out our Derry's climate page.

Derry Temperature in December

Min TemperatureMin Temperature 3°C (37°F)  
Max TemperatureMax Temperature 9°C (48°F)  
Chance of RainChance of Rain 76%  
PrecipitationPrecipitation 99 mm (3.9 in)  
Rainy daysRainy days 23 days  
SunshineSunshine 39 hours  
Percentage SunshinePercentage Sunshine  

Daily Historical Temperatures

50-year average (1976-2025)

Based on our historical records, temperatures in Derry typically stay consistent throughout December, with daily highs averaging around 9°C (48°F). Nights are cold, with lows around 3°C (37°F).

Average temperatures in December

Daily Historical Precipitation

50-year average (1976-2025)

Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.

Average precipitation in December

Historical weather for Derry in December

Browse day-by-day weather records for Derry spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.

Derry historical weather extremes in December

Based on weather observations in Derry between 1976 and 2025, these are the recorded extremes during December.

  • On December 9, 2025, temperatures climbed to 17°C (63°F), marking the warmest December day on record.
  • The lowest daytime temperature in December was -4°C (25°F), recorded on December 21, 2010.
  • Nighttime temperatures dropped to -11°C (12°F) on December 27, 1995, marking the coldest December night on record.

Best Places in Ireland in December

Find out more about the weather in Ireland and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of Ireland in December →

Map not visible? Whoops sorry! Please refresh the page.
Legend perfect weather pleasant tolerable unpleasant poor
Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

What to Wear in Derry in December

We recommend to layer up for chilly conditions in Derry in December. You could start with thermal underwear or a good base layer to keep your core warm on the cooler days this month. Maybe also add a sweater or fleece, and top it off with a windproof jacket. High rain levels are expected, so pack waterproof gear and an umbrella or poncho. You can probably leave your sunglasses at home, because sunny days are pretty rare this month.

What To Do in Derry in December

We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.

Swimming
4/10
Cycling
4/10
Walking
4/10
Camping
4/10
Outdoor sports
4/10

Select a Month

Check the conditions for any month of the year.

For a detailed overview over the year and the best time to visit Ireland, check out our Derry's climate page.

More climate data for Derry