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Irkutsk, Russia · Temperate

Irkutsk in December: go or not?

Tough period. Irkutsk in December only reaches 1.1/10.

📅 Updated August 2026 🛰️ ERA5 · 10 years 📍 52.29°N · 104.30°E
⚡ This month's verdict
Avoid
Irkutsk · December
1.1
-20–-12°
Temperature
18%
Rain
2h
Sun
🏛️ Heritage🌧️ Moderate rain☔ Indoor sights
The month in detail

What to expect in December

Winter in Irkutsk is cool (-12.0°C during the day). Days are short (2.4h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Rain risk remains low (18.0% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities.

December ranks 12 out of 12 months in Irkutsk. Compared to November: −8°C daytime, 5 pts more rainy days, −0.8h of sun per day.

This month's conditions

What it's like in December

Feels like
dry air
-20°
Daylight
7.5h of daylight
Compare

Is December the right month?

The best month in Irkutsk is June (8.1/10), 7.0 pts higher than December.

See June →See all 12 months →
Context

Our verdict

Irkutsk, Siberian town on the Angara river 70 km from Lake Baikal : 620,000 inhabitants 5000 km east of Moscow. Nicknamed the "Paris of Siberia" in the 19th century (preserved characteristic carved wood architecture, theatres).

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

🏨
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Irkutsk
Expedia →
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Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
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🎟️ Activities & tours · Irkutsk

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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Affiliate link · GetYourGuide
Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.

Country · Russia

🗣️LanguageRussian
💶CurrencyRouble russe (₽)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘAt risk · 4/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 25°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · -14°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJuly · 40%

🏛️ City break

📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round
🚇Public transportGood
Explore

Other destinations in December

If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate
HarbinChinaMongoliaMongoliaYekaterinburgRussiaVladivostokRussiaYongpyongSouth Korea
Nearby
NovosibirskRussia1435 kmBeijingChina1659 kmXi'anChina2039 kmQingdaoChina2202 km
Other top picks
AlgarvePortugal4.5TanzaniaTanzania5.4JordanJordan7.2PetraJordan7.2El HierroSpain7.3
← NovemberJanuary →
🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map
Location

Where is Irkutsk ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Russia
Temperate climate with a 8.1 → 1.1 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
52.29°N · 104.30°E
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Irkutsk?
June is the best month with 23.0°C highs, 11.0°C lows, 9.2h of sunshine and 33.0% rainy days. The months of June & July offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Irkutsk get in June?
Irkutsk averages 9.2 sunshine hours per day in June. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.6/10.
What is the rainiest month in Irkutsk?
December is the most unfavourable month with December has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Irkutsk in June?
In June, overnight lows reach 11.0°C, while afternoon highs average 23.0°C.
Is Irkutsk good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Irkutsk scores 3.0/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains June with a score of 7.6/10.
When should you avoid Irkutsk?
December is the most difficult month to visit Irkutsk, with December has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.