Uzbekistan Samarkand Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Samarkand is low
December is low for Samarkand.
December in Samarkand is cold and quiet as full winter arrives. It averages 8°C/0°C with moderate rainfall (around 45mm), sometimes falling as snow.
The December signature is solitude and low prices — the Registan, Shah-i-Zinda, and the Gur-e-Amir are nearly empty, and accommodation is at its cheapest. A dusting of snow on the turquoise domes is strikingly beautiful and a rare sight for most visitors. New Year (December 31) brings festive celebrations in the city.
Travel score
Samarkand December Weather Stats
Avg High
8°C
Avg Low
0°C
Rainy Days
10
45mm total
Sunshine
4h
Daily avg
Humidity
75%
comfortable
UV Index
2
Low
Wind
10 km/h
Gusts 22
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
35 μg/m³
PM10
58 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
6°C
Nighttime
-2°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
10 km/h
Max gust 22 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lowest prices of the year
- Almost no crowds at the monuments
- Snow on the blue domes — rare, striking photos
- New Year festivities
Cons
- Cold, with nights near/below freezing
- Short daylight hours
- Open squares feel raw in wind
- Occasional snow and slush
December Events & Festivals
- Quietest, cheapest time to visit
- Occasional snow on the blue domes — striking photos
- New Year (Dec 31) celebrations
- Short daylight — plan sightseeing for midday
Samarkand in December — Full Picture
December in Samarkand is cold and quiet as full winter arrives. It averages 8°C/0°C with moderate rainfall (around 45mm), sometimes falling as snow.
The December signature is solitude and low prices — the Registan, Shah-i-Zinda, and the Gur-e-Amir are nearly empty, and accommodation is at its cheapest. A dusting of snow on the turquoise domes is strikingly beautiful and a rare sight for most visitors. New Year (December 31) brings festive celebrations in the city.
The downside is the cold: nights drop to near or below freezing, daylight is short, and the open squares feel raw in wind. Bundle up with a warm coat, hat, gloves, and a scarf, and plan the main outdoor sightseeing for the milder midday hours.
The Afrosiyob trains run year-round and uncrowded. Indoor stops — the Afrasiyab museum, the warm mausoleum interiors, and teahouses — break up the cold nicely.
Note: for budget-minded or crowd-averse travelers willing to wrap up warm, not for warm-weather sightseeing.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Cold early winter — around 8°C/0°C, near or below freezing at night, with occasional snow. A warm coat, knitwear, hat, gloves, and a scarf. Waterproof shoes for slush. The open squares feel raw in wind.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
20.7°C
9°C
8.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
34.3°C
18.3°C
1.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
21.7°C
7.3°C
5/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current7.7°C
-0.7°C
9.3/mo
Samarkand Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6° | -2° | 9d·40mm | 4h | 75% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 9° | 0° | 9d·45mm | 5h | 72% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 14° | 4° | 10d·60mm | 6h | 68% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 21° | 9° | 9d·55mm | 7.5h | 62% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 27° | 14° | 6d·35mm | 9h | 55% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| 33° | 18° | 2d·8mm | 11h | 42% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 36° | 20° | 1d·4mm | 11.5h | 38% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 34° | 17° | 1d·3mm | 11h | 38% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| September (Best) | 29° | 12° | 2d·6mm | 10h | 45% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| October (Best) | 22° | 7° | 5d·25mm | 8h | 55% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| 14° | 3° | 8d·45mm | 5.5h | 65% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 8° | 0° | 10d·45mm | 4h | 75% | 2 | Quiet | Low season |
View Other Months
Samarkand December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Samarkand?
Samarkand in December is low. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Samarkand in December?
Samarkand December averages a high of 8°C and a low of 0°C.
Does it rain much in Samarkand in December?
Samarkand December averages 45mm of rainfall over about 10 rainy days.
What should I wear in Samarkand in December?
Cold early winter — around 8°C/0°C, near or below freezing at night, with occasional snow. A warm coat, knitwear, hat, gloves, and a scarf. Waterproof shoes for slush. The open squares feel raw in wind.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Samarkand in December?
Samarkand December sunrise is 07:35 and sunset is 17:10, with 9h 35min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Samarkand in December?
Samarkand December air quality (AQI) averages 72, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 35μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Samarkand in December?
In December, Samarkand is great for Crowd-free Registan and Shah-i-Zinda, Snow on the domes (if lucky), Afrasiyab museum and warm interiors.
Is December peak season in Samarkand?
Samarkand December crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Samarkand
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.