Istanbul weather in December
Istanbul in December averages 8°C (47°F), 101 mm of rain and 2.1 hours of sun a day.
Of the twelve months in Istanbul, December is the third coldest, the wettest and the dullest.
- Average temp
- 8°C (47°F)
6–11°C · 42–52°F
- Rainfall
- 101 mm
Showers likely
- Sunshine
- 2.1 h
hours per day
What is Istanbul 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 Istanbul in December?
A light rain jacket
About 101 mm falls this month — showers rather than washouts.
A warm mid-layer
Nights drop to around 6°C (42°F).
December compared with November and January
December in Istanbul is 3.9°C cooler than November and 22 mm wetter than it, which averages 12°C (54°F).
December in Istanbul is 1.7°C warmer than January and 26 mm wetter than it, which averages 7°C (44°F).
Daylight in Istanbul in December
On 15 December the sun is up for 9 hours 15 minutes in Istanbul, rising about 08:22 and setting about 17:36 local time.
December ends 10 minutes shorter than it begins, so the last week of the month is a different length of day from the first.
No month in Istanbul has less daylight than December.
Where to stay in Istanbul
Dates are a starting point for December.
Travel guides for Istanbul
What to read before you book.
Istanbul 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 | 7°C / 44°F | 74 mm |
| February | 7°C / 44°F | 74 mm |
| March | 9°C / 47°F | 66 mm |
| April | 13°C / 55°F | 47 mm |
| May | 18°C / 64°F | 29 mm |
| June | 22°C / 72°F | 29 mm |
| July | 25°C / 77°F | 23 mm |
| August | 25°C / 78°F | 29 mm |
| September | 21°C / 70°F | 43 mm |
| October | 17°C / 62°F | 85 mm |
| November | 12°C / 54°F | 79 mm |
| December | 8°C / 47°F | 101 mm |
Similar weather in December
Other destinations whose December averages sit close to this one.
Check another month
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FAQs about Istanbul in December
December climate averages for Istanbul, 1991–2020.
Istanbul averages 8°C (47°F) in December, ranging from about 6°C (42°F) at night to 11°C (52°F) in the afternoon. That is a 1991–2020 average, so an individual week can run either side of it.
Some. About 101 mm falls across December, enough to need a light jacket but not enough to reshape a trip.
Yes. December averages 8°C (47°F) against 7°C (44°F) in January — 1.7°C warmer.
December is 3.9°C cooler than November, and 22 mm wetter.
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 2.1 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 9 hours 15 minutes of daylight in mid-December, the least of any month in Istanbul.
On 15 December, sunrise is about 08:22 and sunset about 17:36 local time. Both shift across the month — the month ends 10 minutes shorter than it starts.
