Weather in Lake Garda in December

How December compares

December is the 11th warmest month of the year in Lake Garda and ranks 126th of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Within Italy it is 15th of 16 (Italy in December). Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Lake Garda is 0.1°C cooler by day and 0.3°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Lake Garda peaks at 7.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 10.6°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 2.4°C; one night in ten drops to -0.9°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 14.1°C (2003-12-04) and the coldest night -6.9°C (1996-12-28).

Rain in December

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 8 days with 1 mm or more, 69 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 2020 with 215 mm, the driest 2015 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 83%.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 3.6 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 8.5 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:51 and sets about 16:35 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 58%.

Is December a good time to visit Lake Garda?

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

Cold days, with little warmth to spare

A winter coat, layers and closed, weather-resistant shoes make more sense than a light holiday wardrobe. The warmest days can reach 10.6°C or more, but that is mild rather than warm, so do not build your plans around sitting outside comfortably for long stretches. At the colder end, nights can fall to -0.9°C or below, making gloves and a warm hat sensible additions. Keep longer outdoor plans for the warmer part of the day and leave room to head indoors when you feel chilled. This is a better fit for travellers happy with brisk outings than anyone hoping to leave British winter clothing behind.

Plan around short days and wet spells

December brings about 3.6 hours of sunshine within 8.5 hours of daylight, so daylight is something to plan around rather than take for granted. Get outside when conditions look favourable instead of leaving your main outing until late in the day. Rain is frequent enough to justify a waterproof outer layer and footwear that can handle wet ground, though it does not mean every day will be a washout. Keep your schedule flexible, with indoor alternatives rather than a full programme that depends on dry weather. The catch is the combination of cold, rain and limited daylight, not simply the chance of a shower.