Tibet Weather in December

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

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Lhasa Shigatse

Planning a trip to Tibet, China this December? Here's what you need to know about the weather:

What to Expect in Tibet in December

Tibet, China is a region in China. December in Tibet generally has cold temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from almost none to low. The month of December is in the winter season.

Temperatures

The average maximum temperatures are cold and range from 3°C (37°F) in Lhasa to 7°C (45°F) in Shigatse. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to -9°C (16°F) in Shigatse and -13°C (9°F) in Lhasa. In many areas in China, December brings with it chilling temperatures. When visiting these parts during this time, it's of utmost importance to be ready. Choose clothing that is both layered and insulating to combat the cold effectively.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Tibet, China, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From almost no snow/rainfall in Shigatse with an average of 2.1 mm (0.1 in) to low snow/rainfall in Lhasa with 8.7 mm (0.3 in). In Lhasa, this particular month consistently records the lowest levels of rainfall, making it the driest period throughout the entire year.

Average sunshine

Sunshine is generally plentiful throughout many areas. Lhasa enjoys about 258 hours of sunlight, ideal for those seeking sunny weather.

Explore Tibet by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Best Places to Visit in Tibet in December

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

Conditions Temperatures Precipitation
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 Tibet

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in Tibet, China?

Temperature range in Tibet (December)

Precipitation variation in Tibet (December)

Lhasa

In December Lhasa generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 3°C (37°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -13°C (9°F) and low monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
5°C (41°F)
3°C (37°F)
1°C (34°F)
Min temperature
-11°C (12°F)
-13°C (9°F)
-15°C (5°F)
Monthly sun hours
268 hours
258 hours
251 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
15 mm (0.6 in)
8.7 mm (0.3 in)
11 mm (0.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
2 days
a single day
a single day
Weather conditions
poor
poor
poor
Climate in Lhasa →

Shigatse

In December Shigatse generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 7°C (45°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -9°C (16°F) and almost no monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
10°C (50°F)
7°C (45°F)
5°C (41°F)
Min temperature
-7°C (19°F)
-9°C (16°F)
-10°C (14°F)
Monthly snow/rainfall
4 mm (0.2 in)
2.1 mm (0.1 in)
2.6 mm (0.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
a single day
0 days
a single day
Weather conditions
unpleasant
unpleasant
poor
Climate in Shigatse →

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Tibet, in China.

In our records: China December extremes

Notable December records observed across cities in China in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • Based on our data, the coldest December night in China dropped to -50°C (-58°F) in Ergun on December 31, 2009.

Popular cities in December

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

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Lhasa 3°C (37°F) -13°C (9°F) 8.7 mm (0.3 in)
Shigatse 7°C (45°F) -9°C (16°F) 2.1 mm (0.1 in)

Tibet weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Tibet, China in December?

Tibet, China typically experiences poor weather in December, part of the winter season. Daytime highs in Lhasa average around 3°C (37°F), and temperatures drop to about -13°C (9°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in Tibet, China in December?

In Lhasa, the average daytime high in December is 3°C (37°F), while nighttime temperatures drop to around -13°C (9°F).

Does Tibet, China get a lot of snow/rain in December?

December is on the drier side in Tibet, China. Lhasa averages only about 8.7 mm (0.3 in), with most days staying dry.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Tibet, China?

Given the typically poor weather conditions in Lhasa, December may not be the ideal time to visit Tibet, China.

On average, the best time to visit Tibet, China is in May, June, July and August with generally tolerable weather in Lhasa. On the other hand, the weather in January, February and December tend to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Tibet.

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

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.

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