Monthly climate guide
Edinburgh weather in December
With highs near 6°C (43°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F), December feels cold in Edinburgh. Rainfall averages about 84 mm (some rain) and the sky is often cloudy. Daytime highs are 2°C cooler than November and about the same as January.
What stands out in December
- Check the hourly forecast before heading to Arthur's Seat — showers are likely.
- Only 2 months are cooler in Edinburgh than December.
- December brings early winter to Edinburgh.
- There's little difference between day and night (around 4°C).
Avg high
6°C
43°F
Avg low
3°C
37°F
Rainfall
84 mm
some rain
Humidity
94%
relative
Sky
78%
cloud · often cloudy
Edinburgh weather by month
Show the monthly averages as a table
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Humidity | Cloud cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°C / 41°F | 2°C / 35°F | 73 mm | 94% | 77% |
| February | 6°C / 42°F | 2°C / 35°F | 62 mm | 92% | 76% |
| March | 7°C / 45°F | 2°C / 36°F | 58 mm | 89% | 76% |
| April | 10°C / 50°F | 4°C / 38°F | 53 mm | 86% | 73% |
| May | 13°C / 56°F | 6°C / 43°F | 61 mm | 83% | 73% |
| June | 16°C / 60°F | 9°C / 48°F | 85 mm | 83% | 80% |
| July | 18°C / 64°F | 11°C / 51°F | 95 mm | 84% | 76% |
| August | 17°C / 63°F | 11°C / 51°F | 100 mm | 85% | 77% |
| September | 15°C / 59°F | 9°C / 48°F | 63 mm | 87% | 74% |
| October | 12°C / 53°F | 7°C / 44°F | 88 mm | 90% | 75% |
| November | 8°C / 47°F | 4°C / 39°F | 78 mm | 94% | 74% |
| December | 6°C / 43°F | 3°C / 37°F | 84 mm | 94% | 78% |
What to pack for December
- A proper insulated winter coat
- A hat, scarf and gloves
- A compact umbrella or packable rain jacket
- Water-resistant shoes
Is December a good time to visit Edinburgh?
Our Edinburgh guide recommends: May to September, or August specifically for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
If visiting in August, book accommodation and Fringe Festival show tickets well ahead — the city's population roughly doubles.
Best time to visit Edinburgh →Other United Kingdom cities in December
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Edinburgh weather in December. WeatherCompare, 2026 (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020 monthly averages). https://weathercompare.eu/weather/uk/edinburgh/december
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/uk/edinburgh/december">Edinburgh weather in December</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/uk/edinburgh" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="Edinburgh weather in December"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/uk/edinburgh/december">Edinburgh weather in December</a> – WeatherCompare</p>
Edinburgh in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Edinburgh?
December is cool in Edinburgh, with highs around 6°C. Better for museums and city walks than the beach, and usually quieter.
How warm is Edinburgh in December?
Average highs are about 6°C (43°F) and average lows about 3°C (37°F), based on 10 years of daily data.
Does it rain a lot in Edinburgh in December?
Edinburgh typically gets around 84 mm of rain in December — some rain.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
May to September, or August specifically for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Figures are long-term averages for the area around Edinburgh (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020), not a forecast for a specific year. For upcoming days, see the live multi-source forecast.