Switzerland weather in December
Are you planning a trip to Switzerland in December and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.
What is the weather like in Switzerland in December?
The weather in Switzerland in December can be quite varied, with temperatures that range from very cold to cold and precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy. December is a winter month.
The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from very cold in Zermatt at -6°C to cold in Balerna at 8°C. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 1°C in Balerna and -14°C in Zermatt. December is a very cold month in some areas, so be prepared and make sure to dress up warm.
In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate snowfall in Sta Maria Val Müstair with an average of 74 mm to heavy snowfall in Adelboden with 171 mm. Most areas see fewer sunny days, with a projection of about 83 hours of sunshine in Zermatt. This reduced sunlight makes it ideal for those who prefer dimmer, overcast conditions over bright sunny days.
For a closer look at December's conditions in Switzerland, see the map below. For a more detailed look at Switzerland's yearly weather, check out our Switzerland climate page.
Where to go in Switzerland in December
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Popular destinations in Switzerland
What is the weather like in December for the 5 most popular destinations in Switzerland?
Average weather in Zermatt
In December Zermatt generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -6°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -14°C and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Average weather in Grindelwald
In December Grindelwald generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -3°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -10°C and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Average weather in Nendaz
In December Nendaz generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -3°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -12°C and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Average weather in Zürich
In December Zürich generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 6°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -0°C and high monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Average weather in Davos
In December Davos generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -3°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -12°C and high monthly snowfall. 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 Switzerland.
Is December the best time to visit Switzerland?
In our opinion, December may not be the ideal time to visit Switzerland due to the typically poor weather in Zermatt.
On average, the best time to visit Switzerland is in August with generally unpleasant weather in Zermatt.
Interested in more climate information?
We have much more information about the climate in Switzerland.
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 Switzerland? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Switzerland.
Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.