Istanbul · WinterMonth summary
Istanbul weather in December
⚠️ Fair
🌡️ Temperature min / max
45°F – 54°F
🌧 Rainy days
42% of days
☀️ Sunshine
6.8h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Winter
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
4.4/10
📅 📅 Best month
July (9.3/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Istanbul in December?
⚠️ Fair
✅ 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: Istanbul in December: 42% rain, 6.8h of sunshine. Better to wait for July.
By trip type
Istanbul in December by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ⚠️ Possible
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ❌ Not recommended
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : ❌ Not recommended
- 💰 💰 Budget : ✅ Low season
Local context
What to expect in December
In December, Istanbul sees 12°F during the day with 6.8h of sunshine per day. Expect rain on 42% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
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Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °F | Max °F | Rain % | Precip in | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌦️ January | 39°F | 50°F | 43% | 0.1in | 6.4h | 4.1/10 |
| 🌦️ February | 41°F | 50°F | 35% | 0.1in | 8.0h | 4.6/10 |
| ⛅ March | 43°F | 55°F | 35% | 0.1in | 9.4h | 5.8/10 |
| ⛅ April | 48°F | 63°F | 29% | 0.1in | 11.6h | 7.2/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 55°F | 70°F | 30% | 0.1in | 12.6h | 7.8/10 |
| ☀️ June | 66°F | 79°F | 21% | 0.1in | 13.9h | 9.0/10 |
| ☀️ July | 70°F | 84°F | 12% | 0.0in | 13.7h | 9.3/10 |
| ☀️ August | 72°F | 86°F | 8% | 0.0in | 12.3h | 8.9/10 |
| ☀️ September | 66°F | 79°F | 23% | 0.1in | 11.3h | 8.5/10 |
| 🌤️ October | 57°F | 68°F | 21% | 0.1in | 9.4h | 7.5/10 |
| ⛅ November | 52°F | 61°F | 31% | 0.1in | 7.8h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌦️ December | 45°F | 54°F | 42% | 0.1in | 6.8h | 4.4/10 |
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, Istanbul averages 54°F, 42% rainy days and 6.8h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 4.4/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
December vs July (best month)
The best month is July (score 9.3/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +17°F
- 🌧 Rainy days : -30%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +6.9h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Istanbul in December
Is December a good time to visit Istanbul?
December is not recommended for Istanbul (score 4.4/10). With 42% rainy days and 6.8h of sunshine, consider July (9.3/10) instead.
What's the weather like in Istanbul in December?
It's cool with 54°F daytime and 45°F at night. 6.8h of sunshine per day. Pack warm clothes and favour indoor visits.
Accommodation
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Activities and tours in Istanbul
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