Weather in Copenhagen in December

How December compares

December is the 10th warmest month of the year in Copenhagen. Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Copenhagen is 3.5°C cooler by day and 1.7°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Copenhagen peaks at 4.2°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 8.5°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 1.0°C; one night in ten drops to -4.2°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 12.1°C (2006-12-05) and the coldest night -15.0°C (2010-12-22).

Rain in December

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 12 days with 1 mm or more, 54 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 1999 with 103 mm, the driest 2002 with 22 mm. Humidity averages 87%.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 1.5 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 6.8 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 08:33 and sets about 15:37 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 78%.

Is December a good time to visit Copenhagen?

December is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Copenhagen on our scoring are July, August, June.

Pack for damp cold, with room for colder nights

A warm coat, layers, gloves and waterproof footwear are sensible everyday choices, not just precautions for an unusually cold spell. Average daytime temperatures sit above freezing, but that does not make this mild weather for lingering outdoors. The coldest 10% of nights fall to -4.2°C or below, so pack for more than the average and keep a warm layer handy for evenings. At the milder end, the warmest 10% of days reach 8.5°C or more, when removable layers become useful. This is a better fit for travellers who enjoy winter conditions than anyone hoping to leave their cold-weather clothes at home.

Give daylight priority and keep plans flexible

December offers about 6.8 hours of daylight, so put the outdoor part of your day into that window rather than leaving it until late afternoon. Sunshine averages only 1.5 hours daily: daylight should not be confused with clear skies. With about 12 rainy days, a waterproof outer layer is more useful than relying on a dry forecast for the whole trip. Keep indoor options flexible so you can use a brighter spell when it arrives. The weather favours a less hurried schedule with regular opportunities to warm up, rather than a packed plan that requires you to stay outside regardless of conditions.