Cologne · WinterMonth summary
Cologne weather in December
❌ Poor
🌡️ Temperature min / max
37°F – 45°F
🌧 Rainy days
53% of days
☀️ Sunshine
2.8h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Winter
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
1.4/10
📅 📅 Best month
July (7.8/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Cologne 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 brings a challenging climate (1.4/10). July offers milder conditions if your dates are flexible.
By trip type
Cologne 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 in Cologne is cool (7°F during the day). Days are short (2.8h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. With 53% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned.
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Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °F | Max °F | Rain % | Precip in | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌦️ January | 34°F | 43°F | 51% | 0.1in | 3.7h | 1.5/10 |
| 🌦️ February | 36°F | 48°F | 45% | 0.1in | 6.1h | 4.0/10 |
| 🌦️ March | 37°F | 52°F | 42% | 0.1in | 8.3h | 4.4/10 |
| ⛅ April | 43°F | 59°F | 38% | 0.1in | 10.7h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 50°F | 66°F | 38% | 0.1in | 12.3h | 7.2/10 |
| 🌤️ June | 57°F | 73°F | 40% | 0.1in | 12.8h | 7.7/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 59°F | 75°F | 40% | 0.1in | 12.7h | 7.8/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 59°F | 75°F | 39% | 0.1in | 11.8h | 7.7/10 |
| 🌤️ September | 55°F | 68°F | 34% | 0.1in | 10.5h | 7.3/10 |
| 🌦️ October | 48°F | 59°F | 45% | 0.1in | 6.1h | 4.6/10 |
| 🌦️ November | 41°F | 50°F | 47% | 0.1in | 4.9h | 4.0/10 |
| 🌦️ December | 37°F | 45°F | 53% | 0.1in | 2.8h | 1.4/10 |
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, Cologne averages 45°F, 53% rainy days and 2.8h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 1.4/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
December vs July (best month)
The best month is July (score 7.8/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +17°F
- 🌧 Rainy days : -13%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +9.9h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Cologne in December
Is December a good time to visit Cologne?
December is not recommended for Cologne (score 1.4/10). With 53% rainy days and 2.8h of sunshine, consider July (7.8/10) instead.
Does it rain a lot in Cologne in December?
Yes, 53% of days see rain in December. Plan some indoor activities as backup.
Accommodation
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Activities & tours
Activities and tours in Cologne
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