Weather in December in Scotland
Planning a getaway to Scotland 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 is the weather like in Scotland in December?
December in Scotland generally has cold temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy. December falls during the winter season.
Temperatures
The average maximum temperatures are cold and range from 7°C in Inverinate to 10°C in Bowmore. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 6°C in Bowmore and 1°C in Inverinate.
Precipitation
In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Aberdeen with an average of 75 mm to heavy rainfall in Mallaig with 282 mm.Average sunshine
Most cities witness limited sunny days, expect roughly 48 hours of sunlight in Edinburgh. This low amount of sunlight is perfect for those who lean towards dimmer, cloudier weather rather than intense sunny days.For a closer look at December's conditions in Scotland, see the map below. For a more detailed look at Scotland's yearly weather, check out our Scotland climate page.
Where to go in Scotland in December
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Popular destinations
What is the weather like in December for the 5 most popular destinations in Scotland?
Edinburgh
In December Edinburgh generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Aberdeen
In December Aberdeen generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 3°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Oban
In December Oban generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 3°C and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Dundee
In December Dundee generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Shetland
In December Shetland generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at other destinations in Scotland.
Is December the best time to visit Scotland?
Given the typically poor weather conditions in Edinburgh, December may not be the ideal time to visit Scotland.
On average, the best time to visit Scotland is in June, July and August with generally pleasant weather in Edinburgh. On the other hand, the weather in January, February, March, November and December tend to be poor.
Interested in more climate information?
We have much more information about the climate in Scotland.
Interested in the weather conditions in a specific month? Select the month below.
Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Scotland? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Scotland.
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.