Wales Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Wales, the United Kingdom in December.

🔎
Cardiff Swansea

Planning a trip to Wales, the United Kingdom this December? Here's what you need to know about the weather:

What to Expect in Wales in December

Wales, the United Kingdom is a region in the United Kingdom. December in Wales generally has cold temperatures, with high precipitation. December falls during the winter season.

Temperatures

You can expect cold maximum daytime temperatures of around 10°C (50°F) and nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) in Cardiff.

For a closer look at conditions across Wales, the United Kingdom, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From high rainfall in Cardiff with an average of 119 mm (4.7 in) to high rainfall in Swansea with 146 mm (5.7 in). Based on climate data from the last 30 years, Cardiff receives the most rainfall during this month of the year.

Average sunshine

Sunshine is more restricted in many locations in December. Cardiff sees roughly 49 hours of sunlight. Our weather planner can help you find destinations with more sunshine if needed.

Explore Wales by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Wales — and find the best time to visit. (based on Cardiff)

January9°C (48°F) February9°C (48°F) March11°C (52°F) April13°C (55°F) May16°C (61°F) June18°C (64°F) This monthJuly20°C (68°F) August20°C (68°F) September18°C (64°F) October15°C (59°F) November12°C (54°F) December10°C (50°F)
Best Time to Visit Wales →

Best Places to Visit in Wales in December

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

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 Wales

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in Wales, the United Kingdom?

Temperature range in Wales (December)

Precipitation variation in Wales (December)

Cardiff

In December Cardiff generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 10°C (50°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
10°C (50°F)
9°C (48°F)
Min temperature
7°C (45°F)
5°C (41°F)
4°C (39°F)
Monthly sun hours
66 hours
49 hours
53 hours
Monthly rainfall
117 mm (4.6 in)
119 mm (4.7 in)
105 mm (4.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
19 days
19 days
20 days
Weather conditions
poor
poor
poor
Climate in Cardiff →

Swansea

In December Swansea generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 10°C (50°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
10°C (50°F)
9°C (48°F)
Min temperature
7°C (45°F)
5°C (41°F)
4°C (39°F)
Monthly sun hours
66 hours
49 hours
53 hours
Monthly rainfall
141 mm (5.6 in)
146 mm (5.7 in)
133 mm (5.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
20 days
20 days
21 days
Weather conditions
poor
poor
poor
Climate in Swansea →

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Wales, in the United Kingdom.

In our records: the United Kingdom December extremes

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

  • In our records, the coldest December daytime high in the United Kingdom was -10°C (14°F) in Glasgow on December 29, 1995.
  • From our sources, the wettest December day in the United Kingdom brought 301 mm (12 in) in Belfast on December 4, 1982.

Popular cities in December

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

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Cardiff 10°C (50°F) 5°C (41°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Swansea 10°C (50°F) 5°C (41°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)

Wales weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Wales, the United Kingdom in December?

Expect poor weather across Wales, the United Kingdom in December. The popular destination of Cardiff averages 10°C (50°F) by day and 5°C (41°F) at night during this winter month.

What is the average temperature in Wales, the United Kingdom in December?

Average temperatures in Wales, the United Kingdom during December range from a nighttime low near 5°C (41°F) to a daytime high around 10°C (50°F) in Cardiff.

Does Wales, the United Kingdom get a lot of rain in December?

Cardiff typically receives notable rainfall in December, about 119 mm (4.7 in) on average across Wales, the United Kingdom.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Wales, the United Kingdom?

Given the typically poor weather conditions in Cardiff, December may not be the ideal time to visit Wales, the United Kingdom.

On average, the best time to visit Wales, the United Kingdom is in July and August with generally perfect weather in Cardiff. In contrast, January, February, November and December tend to have poor weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Wales.

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

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.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.

Hike the South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path means breathtaking nature, kind people and delicious food everywhere you go. It is an unforgettable experience and you need to add it to your bucket list.
Welcome to Totnes, the hidden treasure of South Devon

Totnes is a place where historical richness fuses effortlessly with a vibrant alternative culture and breathtaking natural surroundings. The town pulses with an amazing community spirit that you'll feel around every corner.

London's coolest neighborhoods you'll want to visit

Discover the 6 coolest neighborhoods in London for your trip! Explore vibrant Shoreditch, lively Soho, alternative Camden, and many more.
10 cities you should definitely visit in the UK

Discover the top 10 most fun and alternative cities in the UK, rich in art, culture, and adventure. Explore vibrant neighborhoods and unique places.
Must visit in the United Kingdom →