December · Canada
Best time to visit Nelson in December Weather, crowds & prices
Weather in Nelson in December
Average temperature -9°C, 109 mm of rain, about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 98% humidity — based on the five most recent complete years of ERA5 data (2021–2025).
December score
1.7/10
Ranked #12 of 12 months
- Avg temp
- -9°C
- Rainfall
- 109 mm
- Humidity
- 98%
- Days with 6h+ sun
- 0
- Crowd Density
- Quiet / Uncrowded
- Average Expenses
- $ · Budget Friendly ($)
December in Nelson scores 1.7/10 for sightseeing and cultural travel - ranked #12 of 12. Expect around -9°C, 109 mm of rain, and roughly 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine this month.
Nelson perches above Kootenay Lake with restored Victorian storefronts, indie cafés, and nearby alpine lakes.
December in Nelson — the hardest end of the year
December sits at -9°C (16°F), firmly in deep-winter territory. Plan compact outdoor blocks with warm reset points between them rather than full days outside.
109 mm of water-equivalent precipitation makes this a snowy month at resort level; what falls stays as snow, with almost no days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 8 hours of daylight.
That is 1.7/10 on the same scale — 12th of 12 months, versus 9.7/10 for the best month here.
Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella.
Budget for low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
If your dates are flexible, July is materially better in Nelson — 8 points higher on the same scale.
Frequently asked
- What is the weather like in Nelson in December?
- In December, Nelson averages -9°C, 109 mm of rain, and about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Its climate-comfort score is 1.7/10.
- Is December a good time to visit Nelson?
- December earns a 1.7/10 climate-comfort score. Use the year-round chart to weigh the weather against your budget and crowd preferences.
- How much does it rain in Nelson in December?
- Expect about 109 mm of rain in December. Average humidity is 98% and there are about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
Curated in Nelson
Tickets & experiences
Things to do in Nelson
Nelson, Canada. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.