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Zurich weather in December

Zurich in December averages 2°C (35°F), 84 mm of rain and 1.4 hours of sun a day.

Of the twelve months in Zurich, December is the second coldest, the sixth driest and the dullest.

Zurich
Average temp
2°C (35°F)

0–4°C · 31–39°F

Rainfall
84 mm

Showers likely

Sunshine
1.4 h

hours per day

Wind
8 km/h
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What is Zurich 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 Zurich in December?

  • A light rain jacket

    About 84 mm falls this month — showers rather than washouts.

  • A warm mid-layer

    Nights drop to around 0°C (31°F).

December compared with November and January

December in Zurich is 3.4°C cooler than November and about as wet as it, which averages 5°C (41°F).

December in Zurich is 0.5°C warmer than January and 22 mm wetter than it, which averages 1°C (34°F).

Daylight in Zurich in December

On 15 December the sun is up for 8 hours 29 minutes in Zurich, rising about 08:06 and setting about 16:35 local time.

December ends 12 minutes shorter than it begins, so the last week of the month is a different length of day from the first.

No month in Zurich has less daylight than December.

Where to stay in Zurich

Dates are a starting point for December.

All hotels in Zurich

Travel guides for Zurich

What to read before you book.

All travel guides in Zurich

Zurich weather by month

TemperatureRainfall

Source: MeteostatPeriod: 1991-2020Checked: 2 Sept 2026358 places covered

How December compares with the rest of the year

December is highlighted. Every other month links to its own page.

Zurich weather by month: average temperature, rainfall, sunshine and wind for each month, from 1991–2020 climate normals
MonthAverageRainfall
January1°C / 34°F62 mm
February2°C / 36°F60 mm
March6°C / 43°F71 mm
April10°C / 50°F80 mm
May14°C / 57°F126 mm
June18°C / 64°F128 mm
July19°C / 67°F126 mm
August19°C / 67°F119 mm
September15°C / 59°F87 mm
October10°C / 51°F85 mm
November5°C / 41°F76 mm
December2°C / 35°F84 mm

Similar weather in December

Other destinations whose December averages sit close to this one.

Check another month

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FAQs about Zurich in December

December climate averages for Zurich, 1991–2020.

Zurich averages 2°C (35°F) in December, ranging from about 0°C (31°F) at night to 4°C (39°F) in the afternoon. That is a 1991–2020 average, so an individual week can run either side of it.

Some. About 84 mm falls across December, enough to need a light jacket but not enough to reshape a trip.

Yes. December averages 2°C (35°F) against 1°C (34°F) in January — 0.5°C warmer.

December is 3.4°C cooler than November, and about as wet.

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 1.4 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 8 hours 29 minutes of daylight in mid-December, the least of any month in Zurich.

On 15 December, sunrise is about 08:06 and sunset about 16:35 local time. Both shift across the month — the month ends 12 minutes shorter than it starts.