Ulan-Ude in December

In December, Ulan-Ude averages -13°C (8°F) during the day and -21°C (-5°F) at night, with around 10 days of rain (13 mm total).

Off-peak

Conditions are deeply cold — proper winter gear is essential. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

December in Ulan-Ude is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

-13°C
Avg high
-21°C
Avg low
10
Rain days
13 mm
Rainfall

How December compares to the rest of the year in Ulan-Ude

11th
warmest month of the 12
9th
wettest month of the 12
5%
of yearly rainfall falls in December
7 h 49 min
daylight on the 15th

December is one of the coolest months in Ulan-Ude (11th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (9th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 20°C below the annual average (7°C). December runs 8°C cooler than November (-5°C) and cools 3°C in January (-16°C).

December sunrise & sunset in Ulan-Ude

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
8:50 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
4:39 PM
Day length
7 h 49 min

Times shown for Ulan-Ude local time (Asia/Irkutsk), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Ulan-Ude — December

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
7:50 AM – 8:30 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
3:59 PM – 4:59 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
4:59 PM – 5:39 PM

📅 When to book — Ulan-Ude 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 (Off-peak) and Ulan-Ude's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
3-6 weeks
Cheapest flights of the year. Last-minute deals are real if you can be flexible.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
2-4 weeks
Last-minute bookings work fine. Some seasonal properties close — call ahead if it's a small boutique or beach resort.
⚠ 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 Ulan-Ude

Off-peak

This is off-peak for Ulan-Ude — the lowest prices of the year and the fewest crowds, but with real trade-offs: some restaurants, hotels, and beach businesses may close for the season; weather conditions can make outdoor activities unpredictable; and a handful of seasonal sights run reduced hours or close entirely. Great if you prefer a quiet local rhythm and don't mind the climate giving you reasons to choose indoor activities.

Why this tier: challenging tourism weather Christmas / New Year travel surge

Sun & mosquito risk — December in Ulan-Ude

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
2.2
Low
Minimal sun protection needed for normal activity.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●○○○○
Minimal
Occasional mosquitoes possible near standing water. Repellent rarely needed.

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.

🥶 Bitter cold — Ulan-Ude in December

Snow days (typical)
0
days/month
Avg low
-21°C
-5°F
Avg day high
-13°C
8°F

Gear: Snow rare but air is freezing. Insulated coat, hat, and gloves still required — wind chill is the real enemy.

Ulan-Ude in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January -16°C / 3°F -25°C / -13°F 6 mm 8
February -10°C / 13°F -22°C / -8°F 6 mm 6
March 2°C / 35°F -11°C / 13°F 7 mm 7
April 11°C / 51°F -2°C / 28°F 13 mm 10
May 17°C / 63°F 3°C / 38°F 25 mm 14
June 25°C / 77°F 12°C / 53°F 26 mm 13
July 27°C / 80°F 15°C / 59°F 51 mm 16
August 23°C / 74°F 13°C / 55°F 55 mm 15
September 16°C / 60°F 6°C / 42°F 43 mm 15
October 6°C / 43°F -3°C / 27°F 12 mm 10
November -5°C / 23°F -13°C / 9°F 10 mm 11
December -13°C / 8°F -21°C / -5°F 13 mm 10

Other cities with similar December weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Ulan-Ude in December →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Ulan-Ude in December?

In December, Ulan-Ude averages a high of -13°C (8°F) and a low of -21°C (-5°F) — generally cold.

Does it rain a lot in Ulan-Ude in December?

December can be fairly wet in Ulan-Ude, with about 10 rainy days on average.

Is December a good time to visit Ulan-Ude?

December is cold. 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 Ulan-Ude 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 Ulan-Ude for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Ulan-Ude on the interactive map

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