Moscow

Russia Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Russia in December.

Planning a getaway to Russia this December and curious about the weather you should prepare for? Discover all the vital details you need on this page, solving your puzzle:

What to Expect in Russia in December

Russia offers a broad spectrum of weather patterns. In December, one might encounter temperatures that range from very cold to cold, and precipitation levels ranging from low to heavy. It's the height of winter.

Temperatures

Based on our climate data spanning from 1990-2020, the average maximum temperature is very cold in Ust-Maya at -34°C (-29°F) to cold in Sochi at 11°C (52°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 6°C (43°F) in Sochi and -41°C (-42°F) in Ust-Maya. In many regions in Russia, December is characterized by its biting cold temperatures. If you're venturing into these areas during this time, it's crucial to be adequately prepared. Ensure you layer up with warm clothing to fight off the chill and stay comfortable.

For specific regional insights in Russia, refer to the map provided below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From low snowfall in Chita with an average of 6.7 mm (0.3 in) to heavy snowfall in Vardane with 163 mm (6.4 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine hours are generally lower in most areas during December. Saint Petersburg experiences about 12 hours of sunlight. If you're looking for brighter destinations, our weather planner can suggest better options.

Explore Russia by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Russia - and find the best time to visit. (based on Saint Petersburg)

Best Places to Visit in Russia in December

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Russia.

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).

Popular Destinations in Russia

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in Russia?

Temperature range in Russia (December)

Precipitation variation in Russia (December)

Saint Petersburg

In December Saint Petersburg generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 0°C (32°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -5°C (23°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
3°C (37°F)
0°C (32°F)
-2°C (28°F)
Min temperature
-2°C (28°F)
-5°C (23°F)
-8°C (18°F)
Monthly sun hours
24 hours
12 hours
21 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
63 mm (2.5 in)
57 mm (2.2 in)
51 mm (2 in)
Monthly rainy days
20 days
22 days
19 days
Weather conditions

Moscow

In December Moscow generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -2°C (28°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -7°C (19°F) and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
2°C (36°F)
-2°C (28°F)
-3°C (27°F)
Min temperature
-3°C (27°F)
-7°C (19°F)
-10°C (14°F)
Monthly sun hours
32 hours
19 hours
32 hours
Monthly snowfall
51 mm (2 in)
48 mm (1.9 in)
46 mm (1.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
18 days
22 days
19 days
Weather conditions

Adler

In December Adler generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 11°C (52°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C (43°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
15°C (59°F)
11°C (52°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
9°C (48°F)
6°C (43°F)
4°C (39°F)
Monthly sun hours
121 hours
86 hours
96 hours
Monthly rainfall
130 mm (5.1 in)
146 mm (5.7 in)
147 mm (5.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
17 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Yekaterinburg

In December Yekaterinburg generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -7°C (19°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -15°C (5°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
-2°C (28°F)
-7°C (19°F)
-9°C (16°F)
Min temperature
-9°C (16°F)
-15°C (5°F)
-17°C (1°F)
Monthly sun hours
51 hours
37 hours
47 hours
Monthly snowfall
36 mm (1.4 in)
28 mm (1.1 in)
25 mm (1 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
14 days
15 days
Weather conditions

Sochi

In December Sochi generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 11°C (52°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C (43°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
15°C (59°F)
11°C (52°F)
9°C (48°F)
Min temperature
9°C (48°F)
6°C (43°F)
4°C (39°F)
Monthly sun hours
122 hours
86 hours
97 hours
Monthly rainfall
140 mm (5.5 in)
157 mm (6.2 in)
159 mm (6.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
17 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Russia.

Popular cities in December

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Russia in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Saint Petersburg 0°C (32°F) -5°C (23°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Moscow -2°C (28°F) -7°C (19°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Adler 11°C (52°F) 6°C (43°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Krasnodar 7°C (45°F) -1°C (30°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sevastopol 9°C (48°F) 4°C (39°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Irkutsk -11°C (12°F) -21°C (-6°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)

Russia weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Russia in December?

Expect less favorable weather across Russia in December. The popular destination of Saint Petersburg averages 0°C (32°F) by day and -5°C (23°F) at night during this winter month.

What is the average temperature in Russia in December?

Average temperatures in Russia during December range from a nighttime low near -5°C (23°F) to a daytime high around 0°C (32°F) in Saint Petersburg.

Does Russia get a lot of snow/rain in December?

December is on the drier side in Russia. Saint Petersburg averages only about 57 mm (2.2 in), with most days staying dry.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Russia?

In our opinion, December may not be the ideal time to visit Russia due to the typically less favorable weather in Saint Petersburg.

On average, the best time to visit Russia is in June, July and August with generally excellent weather in Saint Petersburg. The weather in January, February, March, April, October, November and December, on the other hand, tends to be less favorable.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Russia.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Russia? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Russia.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.