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Is the weather good in United Kingdom in December 2024?
OK Weather
🌧️
RainyFor the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in United Kingdom during December have been around +46°F.
In United Kingdom the temperature rarely varies more than seven degrees between the different parts with the highest temperature +46°F in Newquay to +43°F in Leeds Bradford. So you should be able to pack for similar conditions wherever you go in the country.
Temperature, wind and humidity in December
Average
Aberdeen
Belfast
Birmingham
Bournemouth
Leeds Bradford
Bristol
Cambridge
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Exeter
Glasgow
Inverness
Liverpool
London
Manchester
Newcastle
Newquay
Nottingham
Shetland Islands
Southampton
☀️
+46°F
Avg. max. temperature
-4°F
Min.
+61°F
Max.
83 mm
Total precipitation
85%
Avg. humidity
4 m/s
Avg. wind
2 ☀️
Sunny Days
11 ⛅️
Cloudy
16 🌦
Rainy
Our opinion: United Kingdom has OK weather in December.
United Kingdom in December – what city is the…
- rainiest? Exeter, with an average of 4 mm of rain and humidity of 89%;
- warmest? Newquay, with daytime temperatures averaging +50°F;
- windiest? Shetland Islands, with an average of 8 m/s;
- coolest? Leeds Bradford, with daytime temperatures averaging +43°F;
How good is the weather in United Kingdom in December?
During December, the United Kingdom is characterized by variable weather with air pressure around 1013 HPa and therefore elements of sun, rain, and wind – with a little extra emphasis on the latter two. The humidity in December ranges between 80% in Shetland Islands and 89% in Exeter.
How warm is it in United Kingdom during December?
Variable weather with sun, rain and wind: +46°F in average daily temperature.
This is how hot it usually is in December
The average daily temperatures above don't tell you everything about how hot it can be in United Kingdom. For example, cold nights can make a big difference for those staying in tents or unheated houses. Extra hot days, on the other hand, can make a big difference for those who plan to engage in demanding physical training or competition. So here are some more temperatures for December:
Average
Aberdeen
Belfast
Birmingham
Bournemouth
Leeds Bradford
Bristol
Cambridge
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Exeter
Glasgow
Inverness
Liverpool
London
Manchester
Newcastle
Newquay
Nottingham
Shetland Islands
Southampton
- Average maximum temperature for the month: +46°F;
- Average minimum temperature for the month: +37°F;
- Highest monthly temperature: +46°F;
- Lowest monthly temperature: +37°F;
Monthly temperatures:
Average
Aberdeen
Belfast
Birmingham
Bournemouth
Leeds Bradford
Bristol
Cambridge
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Exeter
Glasgow
Inverness
Liverpool
London
Manchester
Newcastle
Newquay
Nottingham
Shetland Islands
Southampton
- Warmest: July with an average +68°F during the day;
- Coldest: January with an average +45°F of the day;
- Hottest month in hottest city: July in London;
- Coldest month in coolest city: February in Shetland Islands;
Can you swim in United Kingdom in December?
Here are the minimum and maximum water temperatures in cities in United Kingdom in December:
Newcastle
🏊
Comfortable68°F - 77°F
You can definitely swim in Newcastle in December, with the water temperature of +68°F and up.
Winds in United Kingdom during December
Wind speed in United Kingdom in December based on historical data:
Average
Aberdeen
Belfast
Birmingham
Bournemouth
Leeds Bradford
Bristol
Cambridge
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Exeter
Glasgow
Inverness
Liverpool
London
Manchester
Newcastle
Newquay
Nottingham
Shetland Islands
Southampton
December tends to offer light winds averaging 4 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.
Comparison between cities in December:
- Highest average wind speed: Shetland Islands with 7 m/s;
- Lowest average wind speed: Birmingham with 3 m/s;
- Windiest day of the month: Shetland Islands with 9 m/s;
- The least windy day of the month: Birmingham with 3 m/s;
Humidity and precipitation in United Kingdom in December
Amount of rainfall in mm during December in United Kingdom based on historical data:
Average
Aberdeen
Belfast
Birmingham
Bournemouth
Leeds Bradford
Bristol
Cambridge
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Exeter
Glasgow
Inverness
Liverpool
London
Manchester
Newcastle
Newquay
Nottingham
Shetland Islands
Southampton
December tends to be an extremely humid month with 80% humidity and 70 mm rainfall. In general the humidity tends to be a little lower in mountainous regions and more humid closer to water.
Comparison between cities in December:
Average
Aberdeen
Belfast
Birmingham
Bournemouth
Leeds Bradford
Bristol
Cambridge
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Exeter
Glasgow
Inverness
Liverpool
London
Manchester
Newcastle
Newquay
Nottingham
Shetland Islands
Southampton
- Highest average rainfall: Exeter with 136 mm;
- Lowest average rainfall: Cambridge with 53 mm;
- Most number of rainy days: Shetland Islands with 23 rainy days;
- Least number of rainy days: Birmingham with 14 rainy days;
- Highest risk of rain during the day: Shetland Islands with 74%;
- Least risk of rain during the day: Birmingham with 45%;
- Highest average humidity: Exeter with 89%;
- Lowest average humidity: Shetland Islands with 80%;
Tips for traveling to United Kingdom in December
Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for United Kingdom? Activities, weather, and clothing are closely linked. In addition, it's important to pack only what you really need so you don't have to worry about heavy packing or paying extra baggage fees.
Here is some advice on what to pack and what kind of activities you can do in the United Kingdom based on the weather that December is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.
rainy, mild weather with light winds and very high humidity in December
Pack right for December
The weather makes a difference when it comes to packing - especially which items should go in your suitcase. The tips below are designed to help you pack light and right without carrying more than necessary.
- For light showers, an umbrella or a thin and light rain cape is usually sufficient, while more rain may require rainwear and rain boots.
- Cool weather is between warm and cold. This means you can bring long pants and/or a longer skirt and an extra sweater. Be aware that cool days can alternate with cold nights - it may be wise to also pack a hat, gloves and a scarf.
- Light winds are probably most comfortable in hot weather but is cooling in cool and cold weather. If it is hot (when the air temperature is about 30 degrees), the wind can have a warming effect. A thin, windproof jacket and long trousers help to counteract these effects.
- High humidity means that the air conducts heat to and from the skin more easily. For example, if the air is hot (above skin temperature), it will be harder to stay cool. On the other hand, if the air is cool or cold, it is more difficult to stay warm. In high humidity, the choice of clothing makes less of a difference. However, your physical activity plays a bigger role.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the weather in United Kingdom in December:
What can you do outside when it's warm in United Kingdom?
Bathing and sunbathing can be suitable. Warm (but not hot) days are also good for activities that are not so physically demanding: sightseeing on foot, by boat, on a scooter, camel riding. You can also exercise easily as long as you make sure to cool down and quench thirst.
Is December a good time to visit United Kingdom?
It’s always a good time to visit United Kingdom, but the weather is changeable in December, so plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and exploring, and pack for every eventuality.
Monthly weather in United Kingdom
Source of the data
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in United Kingdom, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2023.
For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.