Weather in December in Turkey
Considering a trip to Turkey 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 Turkey in December?
In December, Turkey experiences a range of weather conditions, with temperatures that range from very cold to mild and precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy. December falls during the winter season.
Temperatures
During the day the temperature is very cold in Sarıkamıs at -1°C and mild in Datca at 17°C. As night falls, temperatures generally drop to 14°C in Datca and -11°C in Sarıkamıs.
Precipitation
In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate snow/rainfall in Doğubayazıt with an average of 36 mm to heavy snow/rainfall in Turgut with 254 mm. Looking at the climate data spanning the last 30 years, this month sees the heaviest rainfall of the year in Istanbul.Average sunshine
Istanbul experiences limited sunny days, amounting to roughly 61 hours of sunshine. This makes it perfect for those who prefer dimmer, cloudier settings rather than intense sunlit daysFor a closer look at December's conditions in Turkey, see the map below. For a more detailed look at Turkey's yearly weather, check out our Turkey climate page.
Where to go in Turkey in December
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Popular destinations
What is the weather like in December for the 5 most popular destinations in Turkey?
Istanbul
In December Istanbul generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 12°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Trabzon
In December Trabzon 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.
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Antalya
In December Antalya generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 15°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 8°C and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Alanya
In December Alanya generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 15°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 9°C and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.
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Side
In December Side generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 16°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 10°C and heavy 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 Turkey.
Is December the best time to visit Turkey?
Given the typically poor weather conditions in Istanbul, December may not be the ideal time to visit Turkey.
Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in May, June, July, August, September and October offering mostly perfect weather in Istanbul. On the other hand, the months of January, February and December tend to have poor weather conditions.
Interested in more climate information?
We have much more information about the climate in Turkey.
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 Turkey? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Turkey.
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.