This post covers the weather to expect in Dublin in December and during Christmas.
At this time of year, the weather in Dublin tends to be cold, wet, and a bit windy but with several nice days.
As a retired meteorologist turned tour guide, I didn't expect that I would use my experience as a forecaster in my new career in tourism.
But here I am, finding myself answering more weather questions as a blogger than I ever did as a weatherman.
So, here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the weather in Dublin in December.
How Cold Is Dublin in December?
Daytime high temperatures in Dublin during December will be near 8 C to 9 C (mid-upper 40s F) with a few of the warmer days reaching up to around 13 C (mid-50s F).
The record high temperature in Dublin during December is 16.2 C (61.2 F).
Late night and early morning low temperatures in Dublin during December tend to be around 3 C (37-38 F).
A few of the colder mornings dip down near -1 C (30-31 F) with about 3-4 days seeing minimums at or below freezing.
The record low temperature in Dublin during December is -12.2 C (10.0 F).
Clouds and Rain
On average, December brings about 11 days that are clear or at least partly sunny allowing time to explore this great city.
Precipitation falls on about 16-17 days this month with about 12 days recording at least 1 mm (0.04 inches) and 4 days with at least 5 mm (0.2 inches).
Some snow can be expected, on 2-3 days in December but only 1 day will see accumulations of at least 2.5 cm (1 inch).
Amount of Daylight
Daylight is limited during December with just under 8 hours of daylight on December 1st, falling to about 7.5 hours by the 22nd.
Windspeed
Moderate to fresh breezes (20-38 kph/13 mph-24 mph) prevail most of this month but expect a few days with strong winds (39-49 kph/25-31 mph) with higher gusts.
What to Wear?
December is cold so bring along winter attire including jeans or other heavy trousers.
Take along long-sleeved tops and shirts, hoodies, and a warm and preferably waterproof coat.
A couple of scarves, some gloves, and warm socks will also help. Don’t forget some good walking shoes.
What to Do in Dublin in December?
If you manage to visit on a snowy day, you might want to take this chance to see the city blanketed in white on a free Dublin walking tour.
With all the cold weather, you might also want to consider going ice skating at one of the many ice rinks opening up around town this month.
Need to find the perfect gift for the holidays?
Visit the Mistletown Christmas Market for access to more than 70 different shops selling all kinds of unique and interesting items.
This is also a great time of year to see the Christmas lighting displays in this city, and you might want to consider heading to locations like Stephens Green Centre or Powerscourt Centre.
There are also usually at least a few great concerts or musicals to attend this month, and you can find out more about events like these on our post covering things to do in Dublin in December.
