York
Weather by month
Current –

York Weather in December

York in December sees low daytime temperatures of 8°C (46°F) and nighttime lows of 2°C (36°F). Rainfall is fairly high this month at around 64 mm (2.5 in), so pack a rain jacket to stay dry.

Rainfall in York in December

Rain is expected on roughly 17 days, totalling around 64 mm (2.5 in) for the month. This is a month with many wet days but modest rainfall totals, so showers are generally light and easy to manage.

Temperature in York in December

If you're visiting York in December, expect highs of 8°C (46°F) and overnight lows around 2°C (36°F). The winter season is characteristic of December. Cold conditions persist throughout the day, so warm clothing is important from the moment you head outside. At 2°C (36°F) overnight, it gets properly cold after dark. On the bright side, cold nights tend to make for excellent sleeping conditions.

Sunshine in York in December

The month has fewer sunny days, with around 48 hours of sunshine.

If you prefer dry days with pleasant temperatures, December may not be the ideal month to visit York. Our weather planner can help you explore destinations with more pleasant weather conditions.

York Temperature in December

Min Temperature
2°C (36°F)
Max Temperature
8°C (46°F)
Chance of Rain
57%
Precipitation
64 mm (2.5 in)
Rainy days
17 days
Sunshine
48 hours
Percentage Sunshine

York Weather by Month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in York - and find the best time to visit.

Daily Historical Temperatures

50-year average (1976-2025)

Based on our historical records, temperatures in York typically stay consistent throughout December, with daily highs averaging around 8°C (46°F). Nights are cold, with lows around 2°C (36°F).

Average temperatures in December

Daily Historical Precipitation

50-year average (1976-2025)

Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.

Average precipitation in December

Historical weather records for York in December

Browse day-by-day weather records for York spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.

York historical weather extremes in December

The extremes listed below come from historical weather data collected in York from 1976 through 2025.

  • The hottest December day on record in York reached 15°C (59°F) (December 1, 1985).
  • The coldest December day was on December 6, 2010, with a maximum of -5°C (23°F).
  • Nighttime temperatures dropped to -13°C (9°F) on December 17, 1981, marking the coldest December night on record.

Best Places in the United Kingdom in December

Find out more about the weather in the United Kingdom and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of the United Kingdom in December →

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).

What to Wear in York in December

Cold weather calls for smart layering in December. A thermal base layer makes a huge difference in staying warm. Add a wool sweater or fleece, then a wind-resistant outer jacket. Rain gear is recommended, you can expect wet weather on multiple days. You can probably leave your sunglasses at home, because sunny days are pretty rare this month.

What To Do in York in December

We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.

  • Swimming
    4/10
  • Cycling
    4/10
  • Walking
    4/10
  • Camping
    4/10
  • Outdoor sports
    4/10

York 3-Day Forecast

More climate data for York

Popular in December

Where to go in December - average daytime high across popular destinations.

Bucket list

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