Moscow Weather in December 2026: what to expect (0.6/10)

The month in detail

What to expect in December

Winter in Moscow is cool (-2.0°F during the day). Days are short (0.6h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Expect rain on 45.0% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.

December ranks 11 out of 12 months in Moscow. Compared to November: −7°F daytime, 9 pts more rainy days, −0.5h of sun per day.

This month's conditions

What it's like in December

Feels like

dry air

-6°

Daylight

6.8h of daylight

Compare

Is December the right month?

The best month in Moscow is August (8.1/10), 7.5 pts higher than December.

See August →See all 12 months →

Context

Our verdict

Moscow, Russian capital: 12 million inhabitants, Eastern European megacity, extreme continental climate. August is my favorite month (8.3/10): 57-73°F, 25% rain, parks in full life (Gorky Park, VDNKh), terraces, 16h days.

Read Gilles' full review →

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Plan your trip

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

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Stay

Hotels & rentals · Moscow

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Activities

Tours, tickets, experiences

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Flights

Multi-airline comparator

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🎟️ Activities & tours · Moscow

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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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 · 75°F

❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 23°F

🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJuly · 45%

🏛️ 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

Nearby

Saint PetersburgRussia635 km

Other top picks

🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map

Location

Where is Moscow ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World

🔍 Geographic context

Russia

Temperate climate with a 8.1 → 0.6 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.

55.75°N · 37.62°E

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Moscow?

August is the best month with 73°F highs, 57°F lows, 7.7h of sunshine and 26.0% rainy days. The months of August & June offer comparable conditions.

How many hours of sunshine does Moscow get in August?

Moscow averages 7.7 sunshine hours per day in August. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.6/10.

What is the rainiest month in Moscow?

January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.

What are the temperatures at night in Moscow in August?

In August, overnight lows reach 57°F, while afternoon highs average 73°F.

Is Moscow good in winter?

In winter (December-February), Moscow scores 0.7/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains August with a score of 7.6/10.

When should you avoid Moscow?

January is the most difficult month to visit Moscow, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.