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London Weather in December

December in London sees daytime temperatures around 9°C (48°F) and lows of 3°C (37°F) at night. With around 63 mm (2.5 in) of rainfall expected, it's worth packing a rain jacket.

Rainfall in London in December

You can expect rain on roughly 16 days based on historical data, averaging 63 mm (2.5 in) for the month. Expect plenty of grey, overcast days rather than intense storms. The rain rarely amounts to much on any given day.

Temperature in London in December

Temperatures in London in December top out at 9°C (48°F) and drop to 3°C (37°F) overnight. December is part of the winter season. Temperatures remain on the cold side all day. A proper warm jacket is worth having, not just for evenings. Nights fall to 3°C (37°F), which is cold enough to feel it indoors too. A good thick duvet makes all the difference for a comfortable night's sleep.

Sunshine in London in December

The month has fewer sunny days, with around 54 hours of sunshine.

Wind Speed in London in December

Wind speeds average 4 m/s (8 knots) during December. At this speed, expect moderate winds that can raise dust and move small branches. Since this is an average, some days have gentle light winds while others experience stronger breezes that are quite noticeable.

December in London can still be great, but if you prefer pleasant temperatures along with dry and sunny conditions, 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 the United Kingdom, check out our London's climate page.

London Temperature in December

Min TemperatureMin Temperature 3°C (37°F)  
Max TemperatureMax Temperature 9°C (48°F)  
Chance of RainChance of Rain 54%  
PrecipitationPrecipitation 63 mm (2.5 in)  
Rainy daysRainy days 16 days  
HumidityHumidity 81%  
WindspeedWindspeed 4 m/s (8 knots)  
SunshineSunshine 54 hours  
Percentage SunshinePercentage Sunshine 21%  

Daily Historical Temperatures

50-year average (1976-2025)

Based on our historical records, temperatures in London typically stay consistent throughout December, with daily highs averaging around 9°C (48°F). Nights are cold, with lows around 4°C (39°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 London in December

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

London historical weather extremes in December

The extremes listed below come from historical weather data collected in London from 1976 through 2025.

  • The hottest December day on record in London reached 16°C (61°F) (December 19, 2015).
  • The coldest December day was on December 31, 1978, with a maximum of -3°C (27°F).
  • The coldest night in December in London was on December 13, 1981, with a minimum of -11°C (12°F).
  • Peak precipitation in December occurred on December 13, 2008, when 24 mm (0.9 in) of precipitation was measured.

Best Places in the United Kingdom in December

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

Cold weather calls for smart layering in December. A thermal base layer makes a huge difference in staying warm. Add a wool sweater or fleece, then a wind-resistant outer jacket. Rain gear is recommended, you can expect wet weather on multiple days. You can probably leave your sunglasses at home, because sunny days are pretty rare this month.

What To Do in London 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 the United Kingdom, check out our London's climate page.

More climate data for London