Lhasa Weather in December

The weather of Lhasa - the “City of Sunlight” - is very sunny, and December is no exception. If you visit Lhasa in this month, you’ll be bathed in sunshine almost every day. During the daytime, it’s generally not as cold as you might imagine, as the warm sunshine makes it feel a bit warmer. However, it gets quite cold at night.

Potala Palace in Sunny December

This is an off-peak period for travel, with fewer tourists. Consequently, the cost of accommodation and transportation is quite a bit lower than at other times. 
 See more about Tibet Weather in December.

In December, a winter month, Lhasa experiences significant temperature fluctuations between day and night.

Generally, daytime highs range from 5 to 13 degrees Celsius (41-55 degrees Fahrenheit). During the periods between 10:00 and 16:00, it doesn’t feel cold at all - in fact, it’s somehow comfortable with warm sunshine, and you might even want to take off your outer jacket. Entering the nighttime, the temperature drops below freezing, making it feel very cold. Typically, the daily low is around only -5°C (23°F) this month.

Not Very Cold Daytime

Places at higher altitudes, such as Namtso Lake and Yamdrok Lake, are usually colder. To make matters worse, these areas are often windy, which makes the apparent temperature even lower.
 

December is one of the sunniest months in Lhasa, with almost no rain: On average, the monthly precipitation is only about 1 mm, and there is just one day with precipitation, which is typically in the form of snow. In December 2025, there was not a single day with precipitation. 

Thanks to the sunny weather, the average daily sunshine hours last for more than 8 hours, making it ideal for outdoor activities and photography. Additionally, visibility in Lhasa is exceptionally high in December, allowing you to clearly see the outlines of distant snow-capped mountains during the day and easily capture a dazzling starry sky at night.

Sunny December with Clear Sky

On the down side, you will find the air particularly dry with an average humidity of only 34%. You need to drink water frequently to stay relatively comfortable.
 

If you plan to travel to Lhasa in December, keep in mind that daylight hours are very short at this time of year, averaging less than 10.3 hours. Each day, the sun rises between 8:33 and 8:50 and sets between 18:56 and 19:07. With that in mind, you may also want to know:

1. Opening hours of many attractions have been shortened in December: The Potala Palace opens later at 9:30 and closes earlier at 15:20; Ramoche Monastery’s opening hours are shortened to 9:00 -17:30, etc.
2. Restaurants and various shops close earlier, too.
3. Shorter daytime also means shorter warmer period with sunshine. Generally, the temperature begins to drop rapidly around 17:00, after which the weather turns cold. Therefore, be sure to add clothes promptly if you plan to stay outdoors late.
 

 Clothes: Warm winter clothes are essential. Specifically, for the upper body, you are recommended to wear thin wool sweaters, hoodies, plus down jackets, or long-sleeve T-shirts, light sweaters, plus three-in-one jackets with a down liner. If you plan to visit nearby higher-altitude areas, be sure to bring a thick enough down jacket. For the lower body, you can wear thermal pants plus jeans or sweatpants, or long johns plus storm pants.

 Shoes: Thick, waterproof, and comfortable hiking boots or sneakers are highly recommended to bring.

 Others:
1. Be sure to pack warm hats. When traveling to higher altitudes, consider bringing a scarf, face mask, and gloves for extra warmth.
2. Pack lip balm, moisturizer, and body lotion, as the air is very dry.
3. The UV index can reach around 5 the highest in December, so bring sunglasses and sunscreen to protect against UV damage.
 In December, Lhasa is in the slack season and there are not many tourists. You can quietly enjoy yourself at a more leisurely pace.

Slack Season with Fewer Tourists

In addition, the prices of hotels and flights, as well as admission fees for some attractions, are cheaper this month compared with the peak season.
 1. Cultural landmarks such as the Potala Palace and Barkhor Street are breathtaking in any weather conditions, but bright sunshine and a clear blue sky in December will certainly make them even more stunning. Additionally, with fewer visitors, these sites reveal their more authentic and serene side.
2. Lhasa in December also offers some scenes unique to the winter season. For example, you can admire snow-capped mountains and frozen lakes. Moreover, with higher visibility, this month provides you with a higher possibility to see the splendid view that the golden sunlight illuminates the peaks covered by white snow.
3. December 3, 2026, marks Lhasa’s Butter Lamp Festival. On this day, the Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, the Potala Palace, and Sera Monastery will be illuminated with numerous butter lamps for blessings, creating a truly spectacular scene.

Lit Butter Lamp

 Since the climate of Lhasa in December is cold after sunset and the oxygen levels are lower, you are more susceptible to altitude sickness. It’s essential to take the following precautions:

1. Upon arriving in Lhasa, do not take a shower immediately. If you do take a shower on the following days, be sure to dry your body and hair promptly after showering.
2. Avoid running or jumping. 
3. It’s best to plan a light itinerary for your first day and avoid overexertion. 
4. Drink plenty of hot water throughout your trip. 
5. Stay warm at all times and try not to keep taking your clothes on and off. Besides, you are recommended to wear a warm hat all the time; otherwise, the cold wind can easily lead to a cold and then trigger altitude sicknes.
 

Dec	Temperature		Sunrise / Sunset	Humi- ity (%)
	High	Low
1	12.5°C / 54.5°F	-1.8°C / 28.8°F	08:33 / 18:56	13
2	11.8°C / 53.2°F	-4.6°C / 23.7°F	08:33 / 18:56	20
3	15.6°C / 60.1°F	-5.2°C / 22.6°F	08:34 / 18:56	27
4	20.1°C / 68.2°F	-4.6°C / 23.7°F	08:35 / 18:56	27
5	18.8°C / 65.8°F	-3.9°C / 25°F	08:36 / 18:56	21
6	18.8°C / 65.8°F	-2.8°C / 27°F	08:36 / 18:56	21
7	17.1°C / 62.8°F	-2.8°C / 27°F	08:37 / 18:56	20
8	16.6°C / 61.9°F	-3.3°C / 26.1°F	08:38 / 18:56	21
9	16.4°C / 61.5°F	-3.4°C / 25.9°F	08:39 / 18:57	19
10	12.7°C / 54.9°F	-3°C / 26.6°F	08:39 / 18:57	17
11	9.3°C / 48.7°F	-2.9°C / 26.8°F	08:40 / 18:57	21
12	7.9°C / 46.2°F	-6.4°C / 20.5°F	08:41 / 18:57	20
13	9.2°C / 48.6°F	-6.8°C / 19.8°F	08:41 / 18:58	22
14	12.5°C / 54.5°F	-5.7°C / 21.7°F	08:42 / 18:58	20
15	12.2°C / 54°F	-7.1°C / 19.2°F	08:43 / 18:58	17
16	12.7°C / 54.9°F	-6.5°C / 20.3°F	08:43 / 18:59	16
17	12.6°C / 54.7°F	-4.6°C / 23.7°F	08:44 / 18:59	16
18	11.6°C / 52.9°F	-6.2°C / 20.8°F	08:45 / 18:59	17
19	13.9°C / 57°F	-6.7°C / 19.9°F	08:45 / 19:00	19
20	13°C / 55.4°F	-5.8°C / 21.6°F	08:46 / 19:00	18
21	14.4°C / 57.9°F	-7.7°C / 18.1°F	08:46 / 19:01	24
22	16.1°C / 61°F	-7.5°C / 18.5°F	08:47 / 19:01	23
23	16.3°C / 61.3°F	-5.9°C / 21.4°F	08:47 / 19:02	20
24	14.3°C / 57.7°F	-5.1°C / 22.8°F	08:48 / 19:02	17
25	10.8°C / 51.4°F	-6.2°C / 20.8°F	08:48 / 19:03	14
26	8.9°C / 48°F	-6°C / 21.2°F	08:48 / 19:04	20
27	8.5°C / 47.3°F	-7.7°C / 18.1°F	08:49 / 19:04	23
28	8.8°C / 47.8°F	-7.4°C / 18.7°F	08:49 / 19:05	22
29	9.2°C / 48.6°F	-8.5°C / 16.7°F	08:50 / 19:05	20
30	13.5°C / 56.3°F	-7.7°C / 18.1°F	08:50 / 19:06	25
31	14.1°C / 57.4°F	-5.9°C / 21.4°F	08:50 / 19:07	20