December weather forecast
Istanbul, Turkey

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Ships along the coast of the city port of Istanbul, Turkey
Ships along the coast of the city port of Istanbul, Turkey

Weather in December

December in Istanbul ushers in winter, becoming the coolest month of the year with temperatures dropping to an average low of 7.7°C (45.9°F). A rebound in the number of rainy days and a resurgence of snowfall decorate the city with a festive, wintry appeal. Despite the cold weather, the city’s breathtaking beauty does not diminish, with fairy lights decorating the city’s streets and markets. As the year ends, locals and tourists wrap up warm to explore the festive city, their breath misting up in the cold air. The daylight hours are the shortest, creating enchantingly long dusks and dawns, bringing a mystical close to the year in Istanbul.

Temperature

A mild drop in Istanbul's average high-temperature is observed in December, transitioning from a mild 15.4°C (59.7°F) in November to a fresh 10.7°C (51.3°F). Nighttime readings during December register a minimal drop from daytime highs, averaging at a frosty 7.7°C (45.9°F).

Humidity

The average relative humidity in December in Istanbul is 74%.

Rainfall

December is the month with the most rainfall. Rain falls for 13.6 days and accumulates 52mm (2.05") of precipitation.

Snowfall

Months with snowfall in Istanbul are January through March and December. December is the first month it typically snows. Throughout December, in the average 0.9 snowfall days, it receives 7mm (0.28") of snow. In Istanbul, during the entire year, snow falls for 7.1 days and aggregates up to 49mm (1.93") of snow.

Sea temperature

In December, the average sea temperature is 10.7°C (51.3°F).
Note: Swimming in 10.7°C (51.3°F) can be lethal. Merely spending a few minutes in 13°C (55.4°F) waters feels harsh, and venturing below 10°C (50°F) might disrupt breathing control and bring about cold shock, contingent on individual resilience.

Daylight

The month with the shortest days in Istanbul is December, with an average of 9h and 18min of daylight.
On the first day of December in Istanbul, sunrise is at 08:09 and sunset at 17:36. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 08:28 and sunset at 17:45 +03.

Sunshine

The month with the least sunshine in Istanbul is December, with an average of 4.8h of sunshine.

UV index

January, February and December, with an average maximum UV index of 2, are months with the lowest UV index. A UV Index estimate of 2, and below, represents a minimal health vulnerability from exposure to the Sun's UV radiation for the ordinary person.
Note: An average UV index of 2 in December transforms into this advice:
Long-term sun exposure is typically not a concern for most. However, those with sensitive skin, infants, and children must always have protection. When the Sun's UV radiation is most intense during midday, it's best to find shade and limit exposure. Tightly woven clothing, when worn loosely, shields effectively against the Sun. Consider carefully! The reflective quality of snow can almost double the intensity of the Sun's UV radiation.

Frequently asked questions

What are December temperatures in Istanbul?

In December, in Istanbul, the average high-temperature is 10.7°C (51.3°F), and the average low-temperature is 7.7°C (45.9°F). In August, the average heat index (a.k.a. 'apparent temperature', 'feels like'), which represents the influence of relative humidity on air temperature, is calculated to be 30°C (86°F).

What is the average humidity in December in Istanbul?

The average relative humidity in December is 74%.

What is the wettest month in Istanbul?

December is the month with the most rainfall in Istanbul. Rain falls for 13.6 days and accumulates 52mm (2.05") of precipitation.

How much does it rain in Istanbul in December?

In December, in Istanbul, the rain falls for 13.6 days. Throughout December, 52mm (2.05") of precipitation is accumulated.

When does it start snowing in Istanbul?

December is the first month it typically snows. Throughout December, in the average 0.9 snowfall days, it receives 7mm (0.28") of snow.

How cold is the water in December in Istanbul?

In Istanbul, in December, the average water temperature is 10.7°C (51.3°F). Swimming in 10.7°C (51.3°F) is considered dangerous. Unprotected immersion in temperatures below 10°C (50°F) causes quickly maximum intensity cold shock with hyperventilation.

What is the month with the shortest days in Istanbul?

December has the shortest days of the year in Istanbul, with an average of 9h and 18min of daylight.

How many hours of daylight does Istanbul have in December?

In Istanbul, the average day length in December is 9h and 17min.

When are sunrise and sunset in December in Istanbul?

In December, on the first day of the month, sunrise is at 08:09 and sunset at 17:36. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 08:28 and sunset at 17:45 +03.

What is the month with the least sunshine in Istanbul?

With an average of 4.8h of sunshine, December has the least sunshine of the year.

How long on average sun shines in December in Istanbul?

The average sunshine duration in December in Istanbul, Turkey, is 4.8h.

What is the month with the lowest UV index in Istanbul?

The months with the lowest UV index in Istanbul, Turkey, are January, February and December, with an average maximum UV index of 2.

How high is the UV index in December in Istanbul?

The average daily maximum UV index in December is 2. A UV Index estimate of 2, and below, represents a low health risk from exposure to Sun's UV rays.
Average humidity
Average rainfall days
Average snowfall days
Average daylight
Average sunshine
Average sunshine days
Average UV index
Average cloud cover

Average temperature in December
Istanbul, Turkey

Average temperature in December - Istanbul, Turkey
  • Average high temperature in December: 10.7°C

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is July (27.9°C).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (8.5°C).

  • Average low temperature in December: 7.7°C

The month with the highest average low temperature is August (23.3°C).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (5.3°C).

Average pressure in December
Istanbul, Turkey

Average pressure in December - Istanbul, Turkey
  • Average pressure in December: 1019.7mbar

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is December (1019.7mbar).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is July (1011.7mbar).

Average wind speed in December
Istanbul, Turkey

Average wind speed in December - Istanbul, Turkey
  • Average wind speed in December: 18.8km/h

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is August (20.5km/h).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is May (14km/h).

Average humidity in December
Istanbul, Turkey

Average humidity in December - Istanbul, Turkey
  • Average humidity in December: 74%

The month with the highest relative humidity is February (78%).
The months with the lowest relative humidity are June and July (67%).

Average rainfall in December
Istanbul, Turkey

Average rainfall in December - Istanbul, Turkey
  • Average rainfall in December: 52mm

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is December (52mm).
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is August (11mm).

Average rainfall days in December
Istanbul, Turkey

Average rainfall days in December - Istanbul, Turkey
  • Average rainfall days in December: 13.6 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is March (14.3 days).
The month with the least rainy days is August (3.8 days).

Average snowfall in December
Istanbul, Turkey

Average snowfall in December - Istanbul, Turkey
  • Average snowfall in December: 7mm

The month with the highest snowfall is January (24mm).
The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (0mm).

Average snowfall days in December
Istanbul, Turkey

Average snowfall days in December - Istanbul, Turkey
  • Average snowfall days in December: 0.9 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is January (3.7 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (0 days).

Average sea temperature in December
Istanbul, Turkey

Average sea temperature in December - Istanbul, Turkey
  • Average sea temperature in December: 10.7°C

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is August (24.9°C).
The coldest month (with the lowest average sea temperature) is February (7.8°C).

Average daylight in December /
Average sunshine in December
Istanbul, Turkey

Average daylight in December / Average sunshine in December - Istanbul, Turkey
  • Average daylight in December: 9h and 2min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 15h and 6min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 18min).

  • Average sunshine in December: 4h and 5min

The month with the most sunshine is July (Average sunshine: 11h and 48min).
The month with the least sunshine is December (Average sunshine: 4h and 48min).

Average sunshine days in December
Istanbul, Turkey

Average sunshine days in December - Istanbul, Turkey
  • Average sunshine days in December: 14.7 days

The month with the most sunshine days is August (25.5 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is February (12.6 days).

Average UV index in December
Istanbul, Turkey

Average UV index in December - Istanbul, Turkey
  • Average UV index in December: 2

The month with the highest UV index is July (UV index 7).
The months with the lowest UV index are January, February and December (UV index 2).

Average cloud cover in December
Istanbul, Turkey

Average cloud cover in December - Istanbul, Turkey
  • Average cloud cover in December: 50

The month with the most cloud cover is January (Cloud cover 55).
The months with the least cloud cover are July and August (Cloud cover 12).

Average visibility in December
Istanbul, Turkey

Average visibility in December - Istanbul, Turkey
  • Average visibility in December: 10km

The months with the highest visibility are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (10km).
The months with the lowest visibility are January and February (9km).

Istanbul, Turkey

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