Early winter · Weather & things to do
Tromsø in December
Tromsø cools off: highs slip to 28°F (-2°C), from 32°F in November, with lows of 20°F (-7°C) and about 4.9 in (124 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 32/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 28°F (-2°C)
- Avg low
- 20°F (-7°C)
- Rain or snow
- 4.9 in (124 mm)
- Humidity
- 96%
- Cloud cover
- 85%
- Daylight
- ~0 h 00 min
- Comfort score
- 32/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 28°F (-2°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 20°F (-7°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect about 4.9 in (124 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 85%.
Only about 0 h 00 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are July & August.
- Shortest days of the year, about 0 h 00 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (33 → 32/100).
- December sits inside the Late Nov – Mar window our Lofoten & Tromsø route recommends.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 20°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 4.9 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Tromsø in December
With 4.9 in of rain or snow, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Fjellheisen
Cable car up to Storsteinen, 421 m above sea level, for the view over the island city and the bridge.
Fiskekompaniet
Harbourside seafood restaurant serving Arctic cod, king crab and seasonal skrei.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 28°F.
Polar Museum
Museum in an 1830s customs warehouse on the harbour covering trapping, sealing and Amundsen and Nansen's expeditions.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 28°F.
Arctic Cathedral
Tromsdalen's 1965 triangular church, lit from within at night, with a huge glass mosaic on its east wall.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Tromsø Villmarkssenter
Husky kennel on Kvaløya running dog-sled trips, kennel visits and evening aurora camps.
Nearby in December
- Svolvær in December~146 mi · highs 38°F, 5.7 in rain · 5°C (9°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Reine in December~189 mi · highs 40°F, 5.0 in rain · 6°C (12°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Saariselkä in December~226 mi · highs 17°F, 1.7 in rain or snow · 6°C (11°F) cooler by day, drier
- Rovaniemi in December~279 mi · highs 21°F, 2.2 in rain or snow · 4°C (8°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~231 m to Tromsø's ~18 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Tromsø in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Tromsø?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 32/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are July & August. Expect highs of 28°F (-2°C) and 4.9 in (124 mm) of rain or snow. December is inside the Late Nov – Mar window our Lofoten & Tromsø route recommends.
How cold is Tromsø in December?
Average highs are 28°F (-2°C) and average lows 20°F (-7°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Tromsø in December?
Yes: about 4.9 in (124 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 53.0 in (1347 mm).
What should I pack for Tromsø in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 20°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 4.9 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Routes in season in December
- Lofoten & Tromsø Late Nov – Mar
Planning Tromsø in December?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.