Tibet Weather in December

If you are going to travel to Tibet in December, it would be good to learn more about its weather during this month. December marks the low season for Tibet Tourism, which is attributed to the lack of public holidays in Tibet and China during this month. Also, it's partly due to the cold weather. Winter days in Tibet during December are not extremely cold during the daytime. Its cold temperature, however, is the result of the region’s high altitude. Please also be cautious about altitude sickness in December, as winter is the season with the lowest oxygen content of the year. ‌

Tibet’s climate is classified as a cold/continental subarctic climate according to the Köppen climate classification system. Tibet’s southeastern part is generally temperate and milder with an average temperature of 8℃ or 46.4℉. Western Tibet, on the other hand, is harsher with an average temperature of 0℃ or 32℉. In general, the sunny and dry weather in Tibet feels warmer than its actual temperature. On average, the region’s temperature can plummet from its maximum of 9℃ or 48.2℉ during the daytime to a minimum temperature of -9℃ or 15.8℉ during the evenings.

December climate in this autonomous region is generally dry, with a relative humidity of 71 percent and zero precipitation or rainfall. The daily average temperature during this period is around 0℃ or 32℉. It is considered very cold, but during the daytime, it is generally sunny with an average sunshine length of about eight hours a day.

Places to Visit in Tibet

Although it is winter in December, the sun is still shining warmly. It is recommended that you visit the scenic spots in Lhasa, Shigatse, Everest Base Camp and Namtso.

Lhasa and Its Weather

Situated in the middle of Tibet at an average elevation of 3,656 meters (11,995 feet) above sea level, Lhasa’s weather is surprisingly good. Known as the “Sunlight City,” Lhasa receives a significant amount of sunshine for about eight hours daily. It is remarkably warmer with an average maximum temperature of 8℃ or 45℉ and an average minimum temperature of -9 ℃ or 15℉ during December. On average, the hottest month in Lhasa is June with an average temperature of 15.6℃ or 60℉ and the coldest month is January with a mean temperature of -2.2℃ or 28℉. Hence, during December, the average temperature of the city is -1.1℃ or 30℉. December is also considered the driest month in Lhasa with zero rain and precipitation in the city.

Shigatse and Its Weather

While the city of Shigatse is only two-hundred and seventy-three kilometers away from Lhasa by road, Shigatse is perched at an elevation of 3900 meters (12,795 feet) and is quite colder than Lhasa. With an average maximum daytime temperature of 7℃ or 44℉, it is a degree more chill than the capital city of Tibet. Additionally, the average nighttime temperature can plummet down to -15℃ or 5℉. Shigatse also has zero rainfall like Lhasa but has a minuscule amount (less than 1 millimeter) of precipitation during this month.

Weather in Everest Base Camp (EBC)

Another frequently visited place in Tibet is the Everest Base Camp(EBC). Situated at an elevation of 5,200 meters (17,060 feet), this popular tourist spot is off-limit in December because it is cold for an extended excursion. EBC’s daily temperature in December fluctuates between an average high of 4℃ or 39℉ during the daytime and a minimum of -15℃ or 5℉ during the nighttime. Moreover, the mist or fog in EBC can severely restrict visibility and prevent the viewing of its surrounding areas.

Other Destinations

Tibet is not just Lhasa, Shigatse and EBC. There are many other tourist spots with stunning scenery in Tibet like Namtso Lake, Nyingchi, and Tsedang.

Namtso Lake is the world’s highest-altitude saltwater lake at an elevation of 4,718 meters (15,479 feet). During December, snow falls on the Namtso Lake area and its water naturally freezes. The temperature around the area dips down to -10℃ or 4℉ during nighttime while during daytime the temperature may rise up to 8℃ or 46℉.

Nyingchi is another beautiful place to visit in Tibet. It is considered to be the “Switzerland in East” as it is the greenest part of Tibet and boasts forested areas and large collections of plant life. Nyingchi, like many other areas in Tibet, is generally dry during December. Its temperature may vary from place to place due to the variance in its area elevations. During the day, the temperature may rise to 11℃ or 51.8℉ and may plummet down to -4℃ or 24.8℉ during the night.

Another great place to visit in Tibet is Tsedang, located 60 kilometers southeast of Lhasa. This fertile area shares an almost similar climate with Lhasa but is a degree warmer than that of Lhasa. You should not miss Tsedang when you visit Tibet.

Advantages of December Travel to Tibet

Traveling in Tibet during December offers some perks. First, since December is the offseason for tourists, you’ll be able to save on your airfares or train fares if you visit Tibet during this month. You’ll also get cheaper hotel rates during this month. Moreover, you’ll get a better chance of interacting with Tibetan people during this season because of the absence of many tourists. Hence, immersing yourself in Tibetan culture becomes easier during this month.

On the other hand, visiting Tibet during December has its downsides. First, it is freezing during the night and the presence of fog and mist during daytime or nighttime can hinder you from taking good photos of its mesmerizing tourist spots. In addition to the frigid temperature, December is also the driest month in Tibet, and as such, this dry weather can pose a serious problem to some tourists.

Yet, if you want to travel to Tibet in December, you should be well-prepared for its weather. You should bring your sweater, down jacket, winter pants, boots, hat, gloves, snow glasses, and sunblock to ensure that you will be protected from the cold of nighttime and the UV light of daytime. As long as you are well-equipped with all these things, you’ll enjoy your stay in Tibet!