Ulaanbaatar Weather in December

With the approaching of deep winter, Ulaanbaatar weather in December turns severely cold. It snows infrequently and mostly lightly, resulting in scarce precipitation and dry air, but snowstorm also occurs occasionally. Low snowfall means sunny days dominate this month and December still enjoys ample bright sunshine. However, fantastic snow scenery can be seen almost everywhere, because snow doesn’t melt away in view of low temperatures.

Temperature: Exceptionally Low

As the temperature gets increasingly low, the high degree comes to the range of -9 and -20 degrees Celsius (16 - -4 degrees Fahrenheit) and the low value fluctuates between -30 and -21℃ (-22 - -6℉). The exceptionally low temperatures could make everything be covered with a layer of moisture frozen. It is highly possible that ice flowers appear on your glasses soon after you step out the warm room.

In the already frigid December, Ulaanbaatar might also experience occasional visits of even colder spell and sudden temperature drops take place. In the coldest days, the daytime high drops to -26℃ (-15℉) and the nighttime low to around -33℃ (-27℉). Besides, the wind turns stronger on the grassland with few barriers, further bringing down the perceived temperature. When it blows, you may feel like the exposed skin is being cut by numerous knives.

Scarce Snowfall, but Snow-covered

The climate of Ulaanbaatar in December is characterized by such dryness that it feels like the capillaries in your nose are likely to burst. There are averagely 4 days with some snowfall in Ulaanbaatar in December, totaling only 4 mm (0.16 in) of precipitation, the second least throughout the year. They are generally light snows, but short-time drizzles and showers can be seen occasionally as well in relatively warm years. However, thanks to extremely low temperature and the accumulated snow from past months, visitors could see the snow-covered landscapes.

Normally, you don’t need to worry about the snowfall since they are not large enough to disrupt your schedule and the snow cover on the main streets is cleaned promptly. However, snowstorm might hit Ulaanbaatar in December, making it not suitable for outdoor sightseeing.

Sunlight: Least of the Year

With the sun rising at 08:26 - 08:47 and setting at 17:17 - 17:27, Ulaanbaatar receives the annual shortest average daytime of over 8 hours and the least sunlight of 5 hours per day. Due to the early sunset, some scenic spots like Gandan Monastery also close early at 17:00. Therefore, if you plan to visit many attractions in one day, it is suggested to speed up your steps. But good news is that clear days take the majority, so the sunshine is usually bright and sky commonly blue, creating a good background for beautiful pictures.

Averages for Ulaanbaatar Weather in December

High Temperature

-14°C (7°F)

Low Temperature

-26°C (-15°F)

Rainfall

4 mm

Sunrise

08:26 ~ 08:47

Sunset

17:17~ 17:27

Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr.May.Jun.Jul.Aug.Sep.Oct.Nov.Dec.

The times for sunrise and sunset are based on Ulaanbaatar.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Ulaanbaatar?

Certainly not!

For most visitors, Ulaanbaatar is not a good destination in December. First, the weather of Ulaanbaatar in December is bitterly cold and people cannot bear staying outside for a long time. Besides, in grazing districts, there are less hotels and guesthouses keeping open. Some tourist activities like living in Mongolian yurts and watching stars on grassland are cancelled as well. If encountered with heavy snowstorm, though very rarely seen in December, the roads in suburbs might be blocked and your flights delayed or even canceled.

However, if you have determined to visit Ulaanbaatar in December 2026, there are also some advantages and interesting activities.

Undoubtedly, Ulaanbaatar sees the stunning snow view in December, no matter in the downtown or suburbs. The snow cover on grassland is thick and you can hear the crunch of feet on snow. Moreover, December is a good month to experience the New Year festive atmosphere in Ulaanbaatar. There are ice sculptures of diverse shapes on the Sukhbaatar Square, for example the large ice-carved Mongolian yurts which you can have fun in. A giant Christmas tree can be seen as well on the Square. In addition, it costs less to spend a holiday in Ulaanbaatar this time than in summer since it is in low tourist season.

What to Wear in Ulaanbaatar in December?

Upper body: Thermal underwear for inner layer should be thick and high-necked to preserve heat. Then, you can wear heavy sweaters or padded hoodies as middle layer; thin down coats are also good alternatives. The outer layer had better be long enough to cover your knees and attached with hoods to protect your head from cold air, for example long heavy down coats and fur coats.

Lower body: The most important point for choosing trousers is that they are windproof and waterproof. Otherwise, they might get wet when you play on the snow-covered land. Thick long johns with windbreak trousers or normal ones with down pants are all good choices. You can also prepare wool kneepads to make further protection.

Shoes: You should choose non-slip shoes in case of falling down on the slippery ground after snowfall. If you plan to play with snow, the shoes also should be high-top to prevent snow getting in.

Others: Hats, gloves and scarves are the musts for outdoor visits. Be sure to wear masks to keep warm as well as to prevent the low-quality air caused by coal-powered heating in suburbs. Besides, protective glasses are useful to protect your eyes in white landscape. For further warmth, you can stick warm pastes on your waist and back.

Tips for Visiting Ulaanbaatar in December

1. Ice sculptures are normally completed in the last week of December. The best time to go is around 17:00 when you can enjoy the glittering and transparent sculptures under sunshine. After dozens of minutes, the sun sets and the lights inside are turn on, making the ice sculptures colorful.
2. In such low temperatures, the phone runs out of battery soon and keeps in service for a shorter time. To extend its usage time, you can keep it in your clothes of the second layer and stick a warm paste on its back.
3. Remember to clean off the snow on you clothes or frozen ice on your hairs and eyelashes before getting indoors since they melt into water and get you or your clothes wet soon after you enter into the rooms with heating supplied.

7-Day Ulaanbaatar Weather Forecast