Zurich · WinterMonth summary
Zurich weather in December
❌ Poor
🌡️ Temperature min / max
-1°C – 5°C
🌧 Rainy days
46% of days
☀️ Sunshine
4.6h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Winter
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
2.1/10
📅 📅 Best month
August (7.9/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Zurich in December?
❌ Poor
✅ Yes if: you enjoy winter atmosphere and the lowest prices of the year.
❌ No if: you're looking for sunshine or outdoor activities.
Our take: December is a difficult time for Zurich. August (7.9/10) is much more favourable.
By trip type
Zurich in December by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ⚠️ Possible
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ❌ Not recommended
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : — No sea access
- 💰 💰 Budget : ✅ Low season
Local context
What to expect in December
🎯 Winter dishes and comfort food specialities in local restaurants Winter in Zurich is cool (5°C during the day). Days are short (4.6h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. With 46% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned.
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Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rain % | Precip mm | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌨️ January | -2°C | 4°C | 45% | 3.3 | 5.3h | 2.4/10 |
| 🌦️ February | -1°C | 7°C | 41% | 2.5 | 7.3h | 4.0/10 |
| 🌦️ March | 1°C | 10°C | 41% | 2.3 | 9.4h | 4.7/10 |
| 🌦️ April | 4°C | 15°C | 41% | 3.0 | 11.6h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌦️ May | 8°C | 18°C | 56% | 4.4 | 11.8h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌦️ June | 14°C | 24°C | 50% | 4.2 | 13.2h | 7.7/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 15°C | 25°C | 50% | 4.4 | 13.3h | 7.7/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 15°C | 25°C | 40% | 4.0 | 12.4h | 7.9/10 |
| 🌤️ September | 12°C | 20°C | 41% | 3.3 | 10.5h | 7.2/10 |
| ⛅ October | 8°C | 15°C | 37% | 3.0 | 8.2h | 6.0/10 |
| 🌦️ November | 2°C | 8°C | 43% | 3.3 | 5.9h | 4.0/10 |
| 🌦️ December | -1°C | 5°C | 46% | 3.2 | 4.6h | 2.1/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In December, Zurich averages 5°C, 46% rainy days and 4.6h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 2.1/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
December vs August (best month)
The best month is August (score 7.9/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +20°C
- 🌧 Rainy days : -6%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +7.8h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Zurich in December
Is December a good time to visit Zurich?
December is not recommended for Zurich (score 2.1/10). With 46% rainy days and 4.6h of sunshine, consider August (7.9/10) instead.
What's the weather like in Zurich in December?
It's cool with 5°C daytime and -1°C at night. 4.6h of sunshine per day. Pack warm clothes and favour indoor visits.
Accommodation
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Activities & tours
Activities and tours in Zurich
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