ClimateForecastDecemberJanuary >>

Weather in December in Russia

Considering a trip to Russia this December and wondering about the expected weather conditions? Find all the crucial information you need right here, addressing your question:

What is the weather like 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. In December, it is winter.

Temperatures

Based on our climate data spanning from 1990-2020, the average maximum temperature is very cold in Ust-Maya at -34°C to cold in Sochi at 11°C. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 6°C in Sochi and -41°C 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.

Precipitation

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

Average sunshine

Most cities witness limited sunny days, expect roughly 12 hours of sunlight in Saint Petersburg. This low amount of sunlight is perfect for those who lean towards dimmer, cloudier weather rather than intense sunny days.

For specific regional insights in Russia for December, refer to the map provided below. For an in-depth overview of the yearly weather conditions, do visit our Russia climate page.

Where to go in Russia in December

Find more information for the most popular destinations in the Russia on the map below. Click on a destination dot for more detailes.

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Legend perfect weather pleasant tolerable unpleasant poor
Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C and 29°C and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm a month).

Popular destinations

What is the weather like in December for the 5 most popular destinations in Russia?

Saint Petersburg

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

Saint Petersburg
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly snow/rainfall precipitationSnow/rainfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
3°C 
-2°C 
24 hours 
63 mm 
20 days 
poor 
0°C 
-5°C 
12 hours 
57 mm 
22 days 
poor 
January   >> January
>>  
-2°C 
-8°C 
21 hours 
51 mm 
19 days 
poor 
Climate in Saint Petersburg

Moscow

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

Moscow
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly snowfall precipitationSnowfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
2°C 
-3°C 
32 hours 
51 mm 
18 days 
poor 
-2°C 
-7°C 
19 hours 
48 mm 
22 days 
poor 
January   >> January
>>  
-3°C 
-10°C 
32 hours 
46 mm 
19 days 
poor 
Climate in Moscow

Adler

In December Adler generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 11°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Adler
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly rainfall precipitationRainfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
15°C 
9°C 
121 hours 
130 mm 
14 days 
11°C 
6°C 
86 hours 
146 mm 
17 days 
poor 
January   >> January
>>  
8°C 
4°C 
96 hours 
147 mm 
16 days 
poor 
Climate in Adler

Yekaterinburg

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

Yekaterinburg
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly snowfall precipitationSnowfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
-2°C 
-9°C 
51 hours 
36 mm 
15 days 
poor 
-7°C 
-15°C 
37 hours 
28 mm 
14 days 
poor 
January   >> January
>>  
-9°C 
-17°C 
47 hours 
25 mm 
15 days 
poor 
Climate in Yekaterinburg

Sochi

In December Sochi generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 11°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Sochi
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly rainfall precipitationRainfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
15°C 
9°C 
122 hours 
140 mm 
14 days 
11°C 
6°C 
86 hours 
157 mm 
17 days 
poor 
January   >> January
>>  
9°C 
4°C 
97 hours 
159 mm 
16 days 
poor 
Climate in Sochi

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

Is December the best time to visit Russia?

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

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

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Russia. Interested in the weather conditions in a specific month? Select the month below.

  • January      
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  • August      
  • September      
  • October      
  • November      
  • December      
  • 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.