United Kingdom Edinburgh Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Edinburgh is high
December is high for Edinburgh.
Christmas market magic + Hogmanay (New Year). Hotels at maximum. Dark (sunset 15:45). Iconic but cold + wet.
Travel score
Edinburgh December Weather Stats
Avg High
7°C
Avg Low
1°C
Rainy Days
15
60mm total
Sunshine
1h
Daily avg
Humidity
85%
high
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
13 km/h
Gusts 30
Sea Temp
8°C
no swimming
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
17 μg/m³
PM10
28 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
4°C
Nighttime
-2°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
13 km/h
Max gust 30 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hogmanay Dec 30-Jan 1 magical
- Edinburgh Christmas Market
- Mulled wine + warm pubs
Cons
- 1-7°C cold + wet
- Daylight 7h
- Sunset 15:45
- Hotels at maximum
December Events & Festivals
- Edinburgh Christmas Market
- Hogmanay Dec 30-Jan 1
Edinburgh in December — Full Picture
Christmas market magic + Hogmanay (New Year). Hotels at maximum. Dark (sunset 15:45). Iconic but cold + wet.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Cold + dark. Heavy coat + thermal + scarf + gloves.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
12.3°C
5°C
12/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
18.3°C
10.3°C
12.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
13°C
6.7°C
13/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current7.3°C
1°C
14.7/mo
Edinburgh Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7° | 1° | 16d·60mm | 1h | 85% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 8° | 1° | 13d·50mm | 2h | 80% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 10° | 3° | 13d·50mm | 3h | 75% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 12° | 5° | 11d·40mm | 4h | 70% | 4 | Busy | Peak | |
| May (Best) | 15° | 7° | 12d·50mm | 5h | 70% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 17° | 9° | 12d·60mm | 6h | 70% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 19° | 11° | 12d·65mm | 5h | 73% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 19° | 11° | 13d·70mm | 5h | 75% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 16° | 9° | 12d·60mm | 4h | 78% | 3 | Very busy | Peak |
| 13° | 7° | 13d·65mm | 3h | 80% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 10° | 4° | 14d·60mm | 2h | 85% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 7° | 1° | 15d·60mm | 1h | 85% | 1 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Edinburgh December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Edinburgh?
Edinburgh in December is high. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Edinburgh in December?
Edinburgh December averages a high of 7°C and a low of 1°C.
Does it rain much in Edinburgh in December?
Edinburgh December averages 60mm of rainfall over about 15 rainy days.
What should I wear in Edinburgh in December?
Cold + dark. Heavy coat + thermal + scarf + gloves.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Edinburgh in December?
Edinburgh December sunrise is 08:35 and sunset is 15:45, with 7h 10min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Edinburgh in December?
Edinburgh December air quality (AQI) averages 48, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 17μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Edinburgh in December?
In December, Edinburgh is great for Hogmanay (Dec 30-Jan 1) street party, Edinburgh Christmas Market, Mulled wine + warm pubs.
Is December peak season in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh December crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Edinburgh
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.