Novosibirsk weather in December
December in Novosibirsk: freezing, a little rain, with clean air — not the time — well below freezing.
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
#12 of 12 months in Novosibirsk · #1388 of 1413 destinations to visit in December · comfort 25/100 (tier F)
- Days
- -9°C
- Nights
- -17°C
- Wet days
- 11
- Sun
- 2.1 h
- Humidity
- 81%
- Daylight
- 7 h
Traveller notes on Novosibirsk in December
Other months in Novosibirsk
Forum posters describe Siberian winter travel broadly as cold enough to require good water-resistant boots given icy, sometimes broken-up sidewalks, alongside a heavy windbreaker-style coat, gloves and a warm hat covering the ears. Posters discussing winter conditions across the wider Siberian region cite a wide possible range, from around +5C down to -30C or even -35C depending on the specific stretch of winter. Given the more general nature of the destination-specific detail available, this note leans on that broader pattern for Novosibirsk's own deep-winter February: expect firmly sub-zero conditions with real cold-snap risk, snow-covered streets, and layered, wind-resistant clothing as the non-negotiable basics. Posters generally rate February as a serious cold-weather month for Novosibirsk, workable with full winter gear.
Forum posters describe July-August as the nicest weather window for this part of Siberia, with warm water and generally the best conditions of the year around nearby Lake Baikal, though posters are direct that by the end of August, weather can start turning - wind and rain becoming more likely as the month winds down. Posters discussing other Russian cities at the same time of year cite typical August temperatures around 20-25C, with occasional heat waves pushing higher. Given the limited detailed trip reports specific to Novosibirsk, this broader regional pattern - a warm, pleasant peak through most of August with a real chance of the weather turning by month's end - is the most reliable guide available for planning a visit here.
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Novosibirsk climate normals — December
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Novosibirsk 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)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Novosibirsk'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 weatherNovosibirsk's weather peaks June–August, best around July.
December coincides with Deep winter cold.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Novosibirsk in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Season
Ob Sea ice
25 Nov – 10 Apr · usuallyIce seasonThe reservoir south of the city freezes hard enough for cars, and the shore fills with ice fishing tents, kite skiers and snowmobiles. Late season ice is the dangerous kind and the drownings make the local news every April. Source ↗
- Season
Deep winter cold
10 Dec – 25 Feb · usuallyExtreme coldThe city functions normally through cold spells that would close a European capital: heated underground crossings, engines left running, schools out only at the far end of the scale. Plan indoor time between outdoor time, not the reverse.
- Holiday
New Year holidays
31 Dec – 8 JanNational holidayClosuresCrowdedThe country stops for the first week of January. In Siberia that means the ice town on Lenin Square, sledging hills built out of snow, and a lot of shut doors — check opening hours for anything you have flown this far to see. Source ↗
- Season
Snow season
Ski seasonAbout 64 cm of snow falls in the month.
from the climate normals
Where is Novosibirsk?
Novosibirsk in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Novosibirsk?
- December in Novosibirsk: freezing, a little rain, with clean air — not the time — well below freezing. It ranks #12 of 12 months for Novosibirsk on SeasonMap's comfort score (25/100).
- What is the weather like in Novosibirsk in December?
- In December, Novosibirsk averages a daily high of -9.2°C and a low of -17.4°C, with about 40.8 mm of rain over roughly 11.2 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Novosibirsk in December?
- Novosibirsk has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 31 in December.
- Does it snow in Novosibirsk in December?
- Novosibirsk sees roughly 64.1 cm of snowfall in December.