Philadelphia weather in December
Philadelphia in December averages 4°C (39°F), 101 mm of rain and 4.8 hours of sun a day.
Of the twelve months in Philadelphia, December is the third coldest, the fifth wettest and the second dullest.
- Average temp
- 4°C (39°F)
0–8°C · 32–46°F
- Rainfall
- 101 mm
Showers likely
- Sunshine
- 4.8 h
hours per day
- Wind
- 16 km/h
What is Philadelphia like in December?
Daytime
Days are cool.
Rain
Some rain is likely; pack for showers.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What should I pack for Philadelphia in December?
A light rain jacket
About 101 mm falls this month — showers rather than washouts.
A warm mid-layer
Nights drop to around 0°C (32°F).
December compared with November and January
December in Philadelphia is 5°C cooler than November and 27 mm wetter than it, which averages 9°C (48°F).
December in Philadelphia is 2.7°C warmer than January and 22 mm wetter than it, which averages 1°C (34°F).
Daylight in Philadelphia in December
On 15 December the sun is up for 9 hours 21 minutes in Philadelphia, rising about 07:15 and setting about 16:36 local time.
No month in Philadelphia has less daylight than December.
Where to stay in Philadelphia
Dates are a starting point for December.
Travel guides for Philadelphia
What to read before you book.
Philadelphia 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 | 1°C / 34°F | 79 mm |
| February | 2°C / 36°F | 69 mm |
| March | 7°C / 44°F | 101 mm |
| April | 13°C / 55°F | 88 mm |
| May | 18°C / 65°F | 86 mm |
| June | 23°C / 74°F | 103 mm |
| July | 26°C / 79°F | 111 mm |
| August | 25°C / 77°F | 109 mm |
| September | 21°C / 70°F | 112 mm |
| October | 15°C / 58°F | 88 mm |
| November | 9°C / 48°F | 74 mm |
| December | 4°C / 39°F | 101 mm |
Similar weather in December
Other destinations whose December averages sit close to this one.
Check another month
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FAQs about Philadelphia in December
December climate averages for Philadelphia, 1991–2020.
Philadelphia averages 4°C (39°F) in December, ranging from about 0°C (32°F) at night to 8°C (46°F) in the afternoon. That is a 1991–2020 average, so an individual week can run either side of it.
Some. About 101 mm falls across December, enough to need a light jacket but not enough to reshape a trip.
Yes. December averages 4°C (39°F) against 1°C (34°F) in January — 2.7°C warmer.
December is 5°C cooler than November, and 27 mm wetter.
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.
About 4.8 hours of sun a day on the 1991–2020 average.
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 21 minutes of daylight in mid-December, the least of any month in Philadelphia.
On 15 December, sunrise is about 07:15 and sunset about 16:36 local time. Both shift across the month.
