Whitby weather in December

Forum posters describe December days in Windermere and the Lake District as very short - dark until after 8am and dark again by 4:30pm - with typical low-level temperatures around 3-9C, chilly, windy and often wet, though rarely freezing during daylight hours. Posters are direct that the Lake District ranks among the wettest parts of Britain, with snow more a fells-summit phenomenon than something reliably seen at valley level, though it does happen on occasion. Posters note rain tends to be more frequent earlier in December, with the Christmas week itself often turning cold, crisp and comparatively dry. Posters describe December's early darkness as adding real charm rather than just inconvenience. Posters generally rate December as cold, wet and short on daylight for Windermere, with real festive-atmosphere compensation and a decent chance of a drier stretch right around Christmas itself.

Forum posters describe February in Whitby as a bit chilly, overcast and foggy, though still enjoyable for a visit. Posters consistently note the town stays quieter than summer but only a little cooler, with most shops remaining open and plenty to do despite the reduced crowds. Posters describe February's daylight as steadily lengthening through the month, with dusk arriving around 5pm early on and pushing later as the month progresses. Posters generally recommend embracing the quieter, moodier coastal atmosphere as part of February's appeal rather than a drawback. Posters generally rate February as cool, gray and often foggy but genuinely pleasant for a low-key Whitby visit.

August is peak season in Whitby and the forum is emphatic: absolutely heaving, especially once the North Yorkshire school holidays start, with parking a nightmare and restaurant tables hard to come by. Most self-catering lets go by the whole week, Friday to Friday or Saturday to Saturday. On weather, the coastal caveat matters — a north-easterly off the sea can drop the temperature by as much as 8°C compared with inland, against an August average of only 18°C here and a sea at 15. One visitor reports 27°C days, so it does happen. The regulars' honest line is that Whitby is lovely and better outside peak season.