What December feels like in Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, December is early winter on the calendar. Daytime temperatures stay cold, and a warm coat is needed even in the middle of the day. The gap between afternoon and night is small, so nights are cold and the temperature hardly changes after dark. Moisture in the air gives the cold a damp edge.
Rain in Frankfurt in December
December is persistently wet here: some rain falls on about every other day. Wet days average about 5 mm (0.2 in), enough to soak you without an umbrella. That is close to Frankfurt's typical rain per wet day for the whole year (about 5.4 mm). It is among the three wettest months of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in December
Mid-month, Frankfurt gets 8 h 6 min of daylight, from sunrise near 8:17 am to sunset near 4:23 pm. Days are getting shorter: 59 min less daylight than in mid-November. About 37% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, skies are often cloudy.
How December compares to the rest of the year
In Frankfurt's temperature order, December sits as the 2nd coolest month. Against November, the average high is 3.5°C (6.3°F) lower, with 12 mm more rain. Temperatures keep falling into January. January averages a high of 4.9°C (40.8°F).
Who December suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — it is cold for long walks.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
Tips for visiting Frankfurt in December
Rain Protection
A packable rain jacket saves the day on showery afternoons.
Warm Layers
Insulated layers and warm shoes for the cold hours.
Quick questions
How warm is Frankfurt in December?
Afternoons average 5.7°C (42.3°F) and nights about 1°C (33.8°F) — cold by most people's standards. It is the 2nd coolest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in Frankfurt in December?
Yes, fairly — rain falls about every other day and totals about 69 mm, so an umbrella is worth carrying.
What should I wear in Frankfurt in December?
The numbers point to rain protection and warm layers. There is little need to change for the evening.
Is December or January better for visiting Frankfurt?
December scores better on our climate ranking (#11 of 12 vs #12), rated Fair against Poor. January has fewer rainy days.