Yekaterinburg in December

In December, Yekaterinburg averages -9°C (16°F) during the day and -14°C (6°F) at night, with around 13 days of rain (24 mm total).

Off-peak

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

December in Yekaterinburg 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.).

-9°C
Avg high
-14°C
Avg low
13
Rain days
24 mm
Rainfall

How December compares to the rest of the year in Yekaterinburg

11th
warmest month of the 12
12th
wettest month of the 12
5%
of yearly rainfall falls in December
6 h 48 min
daylight on the 15th

December is one of the coolest months in Yekaterinburg (11th of 12) and one of the driest months (12th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 15°C below the annual average (7°C). December runs 5°C cooler than November (-4°C) and cools 2°C in January (-11°C).

December sunrise & sunset in Yekaterinburg

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
9:28 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
4:16 PM
Day length
6 h 48 min

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

Photography light in Yekaterinburg — December

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
8:28 AM – 9:08 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
9:08 AM – 10:08 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
3:36 PM – 4:36 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
4:36 PM – 5:16 PM
Aurora visibility
Fair
Aurora is possible from Yekaterinburg but requires a strong geomagnetic event (Kp 5+) plus clear skies — chase nights, don't count on them.

📅 When to book — Yekaterinburg 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 Yekaterinburg'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 Yekaterinburg

Off-peak

This is off-peak for Yekaterinburg — 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 Yekaterinburg

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
1.3
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 — Yekaterinburg in December

Snow days (typical)
0
days/month
Avg low
-14°C
6°F
Avg day high
-9°C
16°F

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

Yekaterinburg in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January -11°C / 13°F -16°C / 2°F 18 mm 13
February -8°C / 18°F -14°C / 8°F 17 mm 13
March 0°C / 32°F -8°C / 17°F 24 mm 14
April 9°C / 48°F -1°C / 30°F 36 mm 15
May 18°C / 64°F 6°C / 44°F 42 mm 14
June 21°C / 69°F 11°C / 52°F 74 mm 19
July 23°C / 73°F 14°C / 57°F 89 mm 19
August 21°C / 70°F 12°C / 54°F 61 mm 17
September 14°C / 57°F 6°C / 43°F 46 mm 16
October 5°C / 41°F 0°C / 31°F 44 mm 20
November -4°C / 25°F -9°C / 16°F 28 mm 15
December -9°C / 16°F -14°C / 6°F 24 mm 13

Other cities with similar December weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Yekaterinburg in December?

In December, Yekaterinburg averages a high of -9°C (16°F) and a low of -14°C (6°F) — generally cold.

Does it rain a lot in Yekaterinburg in December?

December can be fairly wet in Yekaterinburg, with about 13 rainy days on average.

Is December a good time to visit Yekaterinburg?

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 Yekaterinburg 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 Yekaterinburg for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Yekaterinburg on the interactive map

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