Inverness in December

In December, Inverness averages 7°C (45°F) during the day and 1°C (34°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 17 days of the month see precipitation (85 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cold — pack winter layers. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

December is one of the wetter and less comfortable months in Inverness. If your dates are flexible, consider a different time of year.

7°C
Avg high
1°C
Avg low
17
Rain days
85 mm
Rainfall
2
Snow days

How December compares to the rest of the year in Inverness

11th
warmest month of the 12
3rd
wettest month of the 12
11%
of yearly rainfall falls in December
6 h 39 min
daylight on the 15th

December is one of the coolest months in Inverness (11th of 12) and one of the wettest months (3rd of 12). Daytime temperature runs 5°C below the annual average (12°C). December runs 2°C cooler than November (9°C) and cools 1°C in January (6°C).

December sunrise & sunset in Inverness

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
8:52 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
3:31 PM
Day length
6 h 39 min

Times shown for Inverness local time (Europe/London), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Inverness — December

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in Inverness's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
7:52 AM – 8:32 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
8:32 AM – 9:32 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
2:51 PM – 3:51 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
3:51 PM – 4:31 PM
Aurora visibility
Fair
Aurora is possible from Inverness but requires a strong geomagnetic event (Kp 5+) plus clear skies — chase nights, don't count on them.

📅 When to book — Inverness in December

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on December's tier (Shoulder) and Inverness's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

Crowds & pricing — December in Inverness

Shoulder

Inverness is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: Christmas / New Year travel surge

Sun & mosquito risk — December in Inverness

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
1.2
Low
Minimal sun protection needed for normal activity.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Inverness in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 6°C / 43°F 1°C / 34°F 80 mm 17 2
February 7°C / 45°F 1°C / 34°F 55 mm 14 2
March 9°C / 48°F 2°C / 36°F 55 mm 15 1
April 11°C / 52°F 3°C / 37°F 45 mm 13 0
May 14°C / 57°F 5°C / 41°F 50 mm 12 0
June 17°C / 63°F 8°C / 46°F 55 mm 11 0
July 19°C / 66°F 10°C / 50°F 65 mm 12 0
August 18°C / 64°F 10°C / 50°F 70 mm 13 0
September 16°C / 61°F 8°C / 46°F 65 mm 13 0
October 13°C / 55°F 5°C / 41°F 85 mm 15 0
November 9°C / 48°F 3°C / 37°F 90 mm 17 1
December 7°C / 45°F 1°C / 34°F 85 mm 17 2

Other cities with similar December weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Inverness in December →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Inverness in December?

In December, Inverness averages a high of 7°C (45°F) and a low of 1°C (34°F) — generally cold.

Does it rain a lot in Inverness in December?

December is quite rainy in Inverness, with about 17 rainy days on average and roughly 2 snow days.

Is December a good time to visit Inverness?

December is cold but on the rainy side. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cold weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Inverness in December?

Pack heavy winter layers, a coat, hat and gloves, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full December packing list for Inverness for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Inverness on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.