Weather in Skiathos in December

How December compares

December is the 10th warmest month of the year in Skiathos and ranks 100th of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Within Greece it is 34th of 44 (Greece in December). Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Skiathos is 5.5°C warmer by day and 8.4°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Skiathos peaks at 13.2°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 16.4°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 11.1°C; one night in ten drops to 7.3°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 20.1°C (2010-12-02) and the coldest night 2.3°C (2001-12-18).

Rain in December

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 12 days with 1 mm or more, 110 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 2001 with 273 mm, the driest 2015 with 18 mm. Humidity averages 71%.

Sea temperature in December

The sea averages 15.6°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 14.7°C to 16.3°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (26.3°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 3.6 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:38 and sets about 17:04 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 61%.

Is December a good time to visit Skiathos?

December is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Skiathos on our scoring are July, August, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug.

Milder than London, but still a winter trip

Skiathos is noticeably milder than London in December, where the average daytime high is 7.7°C, but that difference does not make it warm. A jumper and jacket are sensible daytime clothing, with layers you can adjust when conditions change. Nights average 11.1°C, though the coldest 10% fall to 7.3°C or below, so do not pack only for the average. The warmest 10% of days reach 16.4°C or more: pleasant for being outside with suitable clothing, rather than a reason to bring a summer wardrobe. Choose December if cooler conditions suit you; it is a poor match if warmth is the main reason for leaving the UK.

Keep outdoor plans flexible

Rain is the main catch. About 12 days bring measurable rain, so a waterproof outer layer and shoes that cope with wet ground deserve space in your bag. That does not mean every wet day is a complete write-off, but a trip built around being outdoors all day leaves little room for changing conditions. Sunshine averages about 3.6 hours within 9.3 hours of daylight, making it sensible to use brighter spells when they arrive and keep indoor time flexible. Plan outdoor activities during the daylight window rather than leaving them until late afternoon. December works better with a relaxed schedule than with a fixed plan that depends on dry weather.