Climatological averages, historical records, packing tips and best time to visit London during December. Met Office / ECMWF reanalysis 1991-2020.
Reference values based on 1991-2020 Met Office / ECMWF climatology. Year-to-year variation can be significant.
| Metric | Value | Date |
|---|---|---|
| All-time high | 40.2 °C | July 2022 |
| Heatwave record | 37.9 °C | August 2003 |
| All-time low | -13.2 °C | January 1962 |
| 24h rainfall | 75 mm | September 1968 |
Official records (Met Office). Secondary stations may have more extreme readings.
In December, London typically shows chilly damp Christmas season. The average high temperature is around 9°C and the average low around 4°C, with monthly rainfall of 55 mm spread over roughly 13 rain days and about 40 hours of sunshine. Average relative humidity stands at 85% and wind speed averages 16 km/h.
The local calendar in December is shaped by Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, so checking the forecast a few days in advance is worth it before any outdoor activity. Averages give a general picture but extreme events can vary widely: in December, London has recorded both unusually warm spells and cold incursions across recent decades.
For a typical stay we recommend insulated coat and waterproof boots. UV protection is sensible on sunny days, even in a mild winter month, and a closed-toe waterproof shoe helps on damp days. For multi-day trips bring thin layers that you can combine through the day.
The first two weeks of December usually offer the best balance in London: moderate crowds, friendlier prices and weather that remains representative of the month. Late December starts showing features of the transition to the next month. Use our custom historical lookup to check the actual values for the exact year you plan to travel.
Of the twelve months, December is the 11th warmest in London and the 6th wettest. It collects 61 mm, 9 % of the whole year’s rain, spread over 11.6 days with appreciable precipitation. The warmest month is July and the wettest is October.
Among the 10 international cities with an ERA5-Land series on this site, in December London is the 5th warmest, with a mean maximum of 7.7 °C, and the 8th wettest. The wettest of them that month is Rome, with 108 mm against London’s 61 mm.
ERA5-Land reanalysis from the Copernicus Climate Data Store (CC-BY licence), 30 complete years, 1995 to 2024. AEMET publishes normals for Spanish stations only, so the figures for London come from the global series. Sources and methodology → · Forecast for London →
