This post is about the Rome weather in December with tips on what to pack.
Rome during December tents to be cold with chilly afternoons and very cold nights. Bundle up!
HOW COLD IS ROME IN DECEMBER?
Early in December, daytime high temperatures in Rome tend to be around 13-14 C (in the mid to upper 50s F) falling to about 12 C (the mid to low 50s F) by New Year’s Eve.
A few of the warmer afternoons, especially early in the month, can reach up to 17-18 C (the mid-60s F).
Late night and early morning temperatures tend to be around 5-6 C (in the lower 40s F) early in the month, falling to 3-4 C (the upper 30s F) by the end of the month.
A few of the colder mornings during the last half of the month can dip down to about -1 C (near 30 F).
On average, about 3 mornings this month will dip to freezing (0 C/32 F) or less.
DOES IT SNOW IN DECEMBER?
Snow is rare in Rome but there have been occasional snowfalls, mostly during the months of January and February.
The last snowfall occurred in February 2018.
Rome during December has 16-17 days with sunny or partly sunny skies. Daylight hours average a little over 9 hours throughout the month.
About 14-15 days will be mostly cloudy with 8-9 days recording at least 1 mm (.04 inches) of rain.
The wind tends to be mostly light to occasionally moderate this month.
WHAT TO WEAR IN ROME DURING JANUARY
December transitions from autumn to winter so it would be best to be prepared for both types of weather.
Bring clothes that suit both mild to cold weather. We've listed some essentials to pack below:
1. Layers
It is best to dress in layers. A couple of sweaters and at least one warm jacket or coat are recommended.
A jacket like this one from Columbia will keep you warm and is waterproof in case you're out on a rainy day.
2. Comfortable Footwear
You'll want comfortable shoes and cozy socks to keep warm as you explore Rome in January. Wool socks will keep you warm and comfortable.
3. Umbrella
For rainy days, be sure to pack an umbrella.
Compact travel umbrellas like these from LANBRELLA are easy to pack and carry around as you explore Rome.
THINGS TO DO IN ROME IN JANUARY
All times of the year, Rome has so much to do from visiting the Vatican, going on a food tour, and going to a sporting event.
Here is a top 10 list of things to do in Rome this month. For more details, visit the full post.
- See a concert.
- Attend a football game.
- See Harry Potter in concert.
- See the Pope and Vatican City.
- Take a walking tour of Rome.
- Save money with a tourist pass.
- See all the Christmas displays.
- Enjoy free admission to popular sites.
- See a show at Teatro dell’Opera.
- Celebrate New Year's Eve.
If you're looking to maximize your time and money spent in Rome, you should consider utilizing an attraction discount pass.
