United States weather in December
United States in December averages 0°C (32°F) and 26 mm of rain.
Of the twelve months in United States, December is the second coldest and the third driest.
- Average temp
- 0°C (32°F)
-5–5°C · 22–41°F
- Rainfall
- 26 mm
Not much rain
- Sunshine
- —
- Wind
- 16 km/h
What is United States like in December?
Daytime
Days are cool.
Rain
Rain is usually light.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What should I pack for United States in December?
A warm mid-layer
Nights drop to around -5°C (22°F).
December compared with November and January
December in United States is 5.9°C cooler than November and about as wet as it, which averages 6°C (42°F).
December in United States is 1.5°C warmer than January and about as wet as it, which averages -2°C (29°F).
Daylight in United States in December
On 15 December the sun is up for 9 hours 22 minutes in United States, rising about 07:48 and setting about 17:10 local time.
No month in United States has less daylight than December.
Travel guides for United States
What to read before you book.
United States weather by month
TemperatureRainfall
How December compares with the rest of the year
December is highlighted. Every other month links to its own page.
| Month | Average | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| January | -2°C / 29°F | 17 mm |
| February | 1°C / 33°F | 20 mm |
| March | 6°C / 44°F | 39 mm |
| April | 12°C / 53°F | 64 mm |
| May | 18°C / 64°F | 112 mm |
| June | 24°C / 74°F | 96 mm |
| July | 26°C / 79°F | 102 mm |
| August | 25°C / 77°F | 88 mm |
| September | 20°C / 69°F | 72 mm |
| October | 13°C / 56°F | 50 mm |
| November | 6°C / 42°F | 29 mm |
| December | 0°C / 32°F | 26 mm |
Check another month
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FAQs about United States in December
December climate averages for United States, 1991–2020.
United States averages 0°C (32°F) in December, ranging from about -5°C (22°F) at night to 5°C (41°F) in the afternoon. That is a 1991–2020 average, so an individual week can run either side of it.
Barely. December sees only about 26 mm, so rain is unlikely to affect your plans.
Yes. December averages 0°C (32°F) against -2°C (29°F) in January — 1.5°C warmer.
December is 5.9°C cooler than November, and about as wet.
It is outside the easiest window. The most comfortable stretch here is May to October; December sits outside it, which usually means more heat, more rain, or both — worth it if you would rather have the place to yourself.
This page does not show today's weather. It is a 1991–2020 climate normal from Meteostat — a long-run average of what December is usually like, which is what you want when booking months ahead. For today or the coming week, check a live forecast.
About 9 hours 22 minutes of daylight in mid-December, the least of any month in United States.
On 15 December, sunrise is about 07:48 and sunset about 17:10 local time. Both shift across the month.
