What December feels like in Hamburg
In Hamburg, December brings early winter. Midday brings little warmth — expect coat-and-scarf weather from morning to evening. The gap between afternoon and night is small, so nights are cold and the temperature hardly changes after dark. Damp air makes the cold feel rawer than the numbers alone suggest.
Rain in Hamburg in December
December is persistently wet here: some rain falls on about every other day. Each rainy day adds about 4.7 mm (0.2 in), a proper wetting rather than a sprinkle. The yearly figure is similar, around 5.3 mm per wet day.
Daylight and sunshine in December
On 15 December the sun rises at about 8:30 am and sets around 4:00 pm local time, giving 7 h 31 min of daylight. Days are getting shorter: 1 h 10 min less daylight than in mid-November. The sun is out for roughly 31% of those daylight hours, so skies are often cloudy.
How December compares to the rest of the year
December is the 2nd coolest month of the year in Hamburg. Against November, the average high is 3.1°C (5.6°F) lower, with 5 mm more rain. January is cooler again. By January, typical highs are 4.2°C (39.6°F).
Who December suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — it is cold for long walks.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Beach: less ideal — the sea air is too cool.
Tips for visiting Hamburg in December
Rain Protection
A compact umbrella and a light waterproof jacket.
Warm Layers
A proper winter coat, with gloves and a hat for early starts.
Quick questions
How warm is Hamburg in December?
Expect around 5.4°C (41.7°F) in the afternoon and 1.6°C (34.9°F) at night, which most visitors would call cold.
Does it rain a lot in Hamburg in December?
Quite a lot — 65 mm spread over about 14 days.
What should I wear in Hamburg in December?
Based on the averages: rain protection and warm layers. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is December or January better for visiting Hamburg?
December, narrowly: it ranks #11 of 12 among Hamburg's months, against #12 for the other. January is cooler and has fewer rainy days.