Chita weather in December

December in Chita: freezing, dry, with clean air — not the time — well below freezing.

Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

Chita🇷🇺 Russia · Siberia & Mongolia · City29
  1. 32Jan
  2. 36Feb
  3. 53Mar
  4. 69Apr
  5. 81May
  6. 93Jun
  7. 85Jul
  8. 90Aug
  9. 77Sep
  10. 62Oct
  11. 39Nov
  12. 29Dec

#12 of 12 months in Chita · #1356 of 1413 destinations to visit in December · comfort 29/100 (tier F)

Days
-13°C
Nights
-26°C
Wet days
1
Sun
5.8 h
Humidity
70%
Daylight
8 h
Chita, Russia
Photo: DS28 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Traveller notes on Chita in December

Forum posters discussing Trans-Siberian winter travel more broadly cite outdoor temperatures ranging from +5C down to as low as -35C depending on the specific stretch of the journey and time of year, with Chita's own Zabaykalsky Krai region sitting firmly in the harsher end of that range come December. Posters recommending winter travel for reliable, heavy snow generally point to January through March rather than December specifically, implying early winter here can still be transitional in terms of snow cover even as temperatures already run bitterly cold. Given the limited destination-specific detail available for Chita exactly, this note leans on that broader Siberian pattern: expect severe cold with real potential for temperatures well below -20C, alongside modest but building snow accumulation. Posters generally rate December as an extreme cold-weather month for Chita, full winter gear essential regardless of how much snow has actually fallen yet.
Tripadvisor community · December · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗

Other months in Chita

Forum coverage specific to Chita is thin, but posters describing the broader Siberian summer generally characterize it as lovely and warm without typically tipping into genuinely hot territory, with much of the surrounding countryside at its most scenic this time of year. Chita's inland, continental position in Russia's Trans-Baikal region means real day-to-night temperature swings are a normal feature even in June, so posters' general advice for the wider region - packing both warm-weather clothing for the day and a layer for cooler evenings - applies well here. Given the limited detailed trip reports specific to Chita, the main data point available is this broader Siberian-summer characterization rather than city-specific commentary.
Tripadvisor community · June · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗

Add your own note from Chita's card on the map.

Chita climate normals — December

Daytime high-13°C / 8°F🥶 freezing
Nighttime low-26°C / -16°F
Feels like (high)-19°C / -2°F
Rainfall4 mm / 0.1 in☀️ dry
Rainy days1 days
Humidity70%💧 humid
Dew point-24°C / -12°F
Sunshine5.8 h/day
Daylight7.8 h
Wind14 km/h / 9 mph
Snowfall7 cm / 2.8 in
Air quality (US AQI)31🍃 good

Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.

Crowds in Chita in December

How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.

BusyNew Year holidays, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it(estimated)

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Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet

Best months for Chita's weather

Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).

Toughest weatherChita's weather peaks June–August.

December coincides with Extreme cold season.

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Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather

What's on in Chita in December

Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.

  • Hazard

    Extreme cold season

    1 Nov – 15 Mar · usually

    Winters here are severely continental: January averages around -24.6°C and the mercury has fallen as low as -49.6°C. Even routine outdoor errands in mid-winter are done at speed, and cold snaps arrive with little warning. Source ↗

  • Holiday

    New Year holidays

    31 Dec – 8 Jan · usuallyNational holidayClosuresBook early

    The longest break of the Russian year: usually the first eight days of January or more are non-working. Offices, banks and many services close, while trains, flights and hotels fill with holidaying families at peak fares. Source ↗

What's on around the world in December →

Where is Chita?

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Chita in December — FAQ

Is December a good time to visit Chita?
December in Chita: freezing, dry, with clean air — not the time — well below freezing. It ranks #12 of 12 months for Chita on SeasonMap's comfort score (29/100).
What is the weather like in Chita in December?
In December, Chita averages a daily high of -13.5°C and a low of -26.5°C, with about 3.8 mm of rain over roughly 1.1 rainy days.
What is the air quality in Chita in December?
Chita has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 31 in December.
Does it snow in Chita in December?
Chita sees roughly 7 cm of snowfall in December.