SeasonMapYork weather in December
United Kingdom
December in York: cold, a little rain, with clean air — a fair time to visit.
#12 of 12 months in York · #1135 of 1383 destinations to visit in December · comfort 51/100 (tier D)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on York in December
Other months in York
York's forum describes the city's weather as much like the rest of the UK in August — changeable, with rain that can start suddenly mid-sunny-day or clear just as suddenly mid-downpour. Regulars note the Yorkshire coast runs noticeably cooler than inland York if there's a north-easterly breeze off the sea, and that August is peak season so hotels and parking book up fast.
Add your own note from York's card on the map.
York climate normals — December
| Daytime high | 8°C / 46°F | 🧥 cold |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 2°C / 35°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 4°C / 39°F | |
| Rainfall | 67 mm / 2.6 in | 🌦 some rain |
| Rainy days | 14 days | |
| Humidity | 89% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | 4°C / 38°F | |
| Sunshine | 2.9 h/day | |
| Daylight | 7.5 h | |
| Wind | 23 km/h / 14 mph | |
| Snowfall | 1.8 cm / 0.7 in | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 33 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in York 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.
Peak crowdsSt Nicholas Fair, Christmas holidays in United Kingdom, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for York'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 weatherYork's weather peaks June–August.
December coincides with The Ouse comes up.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in York in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Hazard
The Ouse comes up
1 Nov – 28 Feb · usuallyFlood seasonClosuresKing's Staith and the riverside pubs flood most winters — the pubs have tide marks on the walls and mop out afterwards. The Foss Barrier holds the worst of it back from the centre. Source ↗
- Festival
St Nicholas Fair
12 Nov – 21 DecChristmas & New YearCrowdedAlpine chalets down Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square from the middle of November, with the Shambles lit above them. Weekends are shoulder to shoulder; weekday mornings are fine. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of York — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
- Manchester93 kmChristmas markets7 Nov – 22 Dec · usuallyChristmas & New Yearvisitmanchester.com
- Liverpool139 kmChristmas market and ice rink14 Nov – 24 Dec · usuallyChristmas & New Yearvisitliverpool.com
- Keswick151 kmKeswick Victorian Fayre1–10 Dec · usuallyChristmas & New Yearkeswickvictorianfayre.co.uk
Where is York?
York in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit York?
- December in York: cold, a little rain, with clean air — a fair time to visit. It ranks #12 of 12 months for York on SeasonMap's comfort score (51/100).
- What is the weather like in York in December?
- In December, York averages a daily high of 7.7°C and a low of 1.9°C, with about 66.6 mm of rain over roughly 13.6 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in York in December?
- York has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 33 in December.
- Does it snow in York in December?
- York sees roughly 1.8 cm of snowfall in December.
Other months in York
Compare York in December
Warmer or cooler than York in December
Similar destinations in Northern Europe — December
Within 300 km: Manchester's Christmas markets around 7 Nov – 22 Dec, and Liverpool's Christmas market and ice rink around 14 Nov – 24 Dec.