Weather in Milan in December

How December compares

December is the 11th warmest month of the year in Milan and ranks 128th of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Within Italy it is 16th of 16 (Italy in December). Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Milan is 0.7°C cooler by day and 2.8°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Milan peaks at 7.0°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 10.4°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average -0.1°C; one night in ten drops to -3.8°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 16.3°C (2018-12-24) and the coldest night -11.7°C (2005-12-30).

Rain in December

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 7 days with 1 mm or more, 73 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 2020 with 195 mm, the driest 2015 with 1 mm. Humidity averages 83%.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 3.5 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 8.5 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:56 and sets about 16:40 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 59%.

Is December a good time to visit Milan?

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

Expect winter layers, not mild afternoons

Milan in December suits travellers who do not mind keeping a coat on while exploring. The average afternoon is cold enough that a warm outer layer, jumper and closed shoes should be your starting point, with gloves and a scarf useful after dark. Colder nights can fall to -4°C or below, so do not judge your evening clothing by how it feels at lunchtime. Even a milder spell is not a reason to pack for warmth. Plan longer outdoor stretches around the middle of the day, then allow yourself somewhere indoors to warm up. If sitting outside comfortably is central to your holiday, December is a poor fit.

Work around short days and occasional rain

Rain is a consideration rather than a reason to rule the month out. There are about 7 rainy days, so a water-resistant coat and shoes that cope with wet pavements are sensible. Keep your plans flexible enough to move a longer walk when rain arrives, rather than expecting every day to be dry. Daylight is another constraint: with about 8.5 hours available, leaving outdoor plans until late afternoon gives you less room to manoeuvre. The limited sunshine also means you should not rely on the sun to make the cold feel comfortable. This month works best if you are content to mix outdoor time with regular indoor stops.