Helsinki weather in December
Helsinki in December averages -1°C (30°F), 59 mm of rain and 0.8 hours of sun a day.
Of the twelve months in Helsinki, December is the third coldest, the fourth wettest and the dullest.
- Average temp
- -1°C (30°F)
-3–1°C · 26–34°F
- Rainfall
- 59 mm
Showers likely
- Sunshine
- 0.8 h
hours per day
What is Helsinki like in December?
Daytime
Days are cool.
Rain
Some rain is likely; pack for showers.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What should I pack for Helsinki in December?
A light rain jacket
About 59 mm falls this month — showers rather than washouts.
A warm mid-layer
Nights drop to around -3°C (26°F).
December compared with November and January
December in Helsinki is 3.4°C cooler than November and 11 mm drier than it, which averages 2°C (36°F).
December in Helsinki is 2.2°C warmer than January and about as wet as it, which averages -3°C (26°F).
Daylight in Helsinki in December
On 15 December the sun is up for 5 hours 52 minutes in Helsinki, rising about 09:19 and setting about 15:11 local time.
December ends 26 minutes shorter than it begins, so the last week of the month is a different length of day from the first.
No month in Helsinki has less daylight than December.
Where to stay in Helsinki
Dates are a starting point for December.
Travel guides for Helsinki
What to read before you book.
Helsinki weather by month
TemperatureRainfall
How December compares with the rest of the year
December is highlighted. Every other month links to its own page.
| Month | Average | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| January | -3°C / 26°F | 54 mm |
| February | -4°C / 25°F | 38 mm |
| March | -1°C / 31°F | 35 mm |
| April | 5°C / 40°F | 32 mm |
| May | 10°C / 51°F | 41 mm |
| June | 15°C / 59°F | 56 mm |
| July | 18°C / 65°F | 58 mm |
| August | 17°C / 63°F | 84 mm |
| September | 12°C / 54°F | 55 mm |
| October | 7°C / 44°F | 75 mm |
| November | 2°C / 36°F | 70 mm |
| December | -1°C / 30°F | 59 mm |
Check another month
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FAQs about Helsinki in December
December climate averages for Helsinki, 1991–2020.
Helsinki averages -1°C (30°F) in December, ranging from about -3°C (26°F) at night to 1°C (34°F) in the afternoon. That is a 1991–2020 average, so an individual week can run either side of it.
Some. About 59 mm falls across December, enough to need a light jacket but not enough to reshape a trip.
Yes. December averages -1°C (30°F) against -3°C (26°F) in January — 2.2°C warmer.
December is 3.4°C cooler than November, and 11 mm drier.
It is outside the easiest window. The most comfortable stretch here is May to October; December sits outside it, which usually means more heat, more rain, or both — worth it if you would rather have the place to yourself.
About 0.8 hours of sun a day on the 1991–2020 average, so daylight is short on useful sun.
This page does not show today's weather. It is a 1991–2020 climate normal from Meteostat — a long-run average of what December is usually like, which is what you want when booking months ahead. For today or the coming week, check a live forecast.
About 5 hours 52 minutes of daylight in mid-December, the least of any month in Helsinki.
On 15 December, sunrise is about 09:19 and sunset about 15:11 local time. Both shift across the month — the month ends 26 minutes shorter than it starts.
