North Rhine-Westphalia weather in December
December is one of the least pleasant months in North Rhine-Westphalia: highs of 5°C (41°F) and about 77 mm (3.0 in) of rain on average. Nights average 0°C (32°F) and cloud cover 81% (NASA POWER, 2001–2025 averages). It is the 2nd wettest month of the year and the 2nd coolest. Compared with November, it is cooler and about as wet; January brings highs of 4°C (40°F) and 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain.
Figures are long-term averages for Köln, the largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia. See below for other places.
Is December a good time to visit North Rhine-Westphalia?
least pleasant month Weather score 31/100.
December is one of the least pleasant months for weather in North Rhine-Westphalia. For better conditions, consider Apr–Sep.
Does it rain a lot in North Rhine-Westphalia in December?
Some rain is normal: about 77 mm (3.0 in) falls in an average December. It is the 2nd wettest month of the year.
How warm is North Rhine-Westphalia in December?
Days average 5°C (41°F) and nights 0°C (32°F).
North Rhine-Westphalia weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Cloud | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C (40°F) | -1°C (30°F) | 74 mm | 79% | least pleasant |
| February | 6°C (42°F) | -1°C (30°F) | 62 mm | 76% | least pleasant |
| March | 10°C (49°F) | 1°C (33°F) | 59 mm | 70% | least pleasant |
| April | 15°C (59°F) | 4°C (40°F) | 44 mm | 66% | best |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 8°C (47°F) | 64 mm | 71% | best |
| June | 23°C (73°F) | 12°C (53°F) | 68 mm | 71% | best |
| July | 25°C (76°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 75 mm | 68% | best |
| August | 24°C (76°F) | 14°C (56°F) | 79 mm | 67% | best |
| September | 20°C (69°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 57 mm | 64% | best |
| October | 15°C (59°F) | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm | 71% | fair |
| November | 9°C (48°F) | 3°C (37°F) | 71 mm | 79% | least pleasant |
| December | 5°C (41°F) | 0°C (32°F) | 77 mm | 81% | least pleasant |
Sources: 2001–2025 monthly averages from NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis). Page updated . How we rate months
Weather across North Rhine-Westphalia in December
Weather can differ a lot within North Rhine-Westphalia: coasts, hills and mountains each have their own climate.
| Place | High | Low | Rain | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Köln | 5°C (41°F) | 0°C (32°F) | 77 mm | least pleasant |
| Düsseldorf | 5°C (41°F) | 0°C (32°F) | 77 mm | least pleasant |
| Essen | 5°C (41°F) | 0°C (32°F) | 86 mm | least pleasant |
| Dortmund | 4°C (40°F) | 0°C (32°F) | 90 mm | least pleasant |
| Duisburg | 5°C (41°F) | 0°C (32°F) | 86 mm | least pleasant |
| Bochum | 4°C (40°F) | 0°C (32°F) | 90 mm | least pleasant |
| Wuppertal | 5°C (41°F) | 0°C (32°F) | 86 mm | least pleasant |
| Bielefeld | 4°C (39°F) | 0°C (31°F) | 78 mm | least pleasant |
| Bonn | 4°C (38°F) | -1°C (30°F) | 67 mm | least pleasant |
| Münster | 5°C (40°F) | 0°C (33°F) | 75 mm | least pleasant |
| Gelsenkirchen | 5°C (41°F) | 0°C (32°F) | 86 mm | least pleasant |
| Aachen | 5°C (42°F) | 0°C (32°F) | 71 mm | least pleasant |