December weather - Winter 2024

Weather in December
Frequently asked questions
Average temperature in December
Average pressure in December
Average wind speed in December
Average humidity in December
Average rainfall in December
Average rainfall days in December
Average snowfall in December
Average snowfall days in December
Average sea temperature in December
Average daylight in December
Average sunshine in December
Average sunshine days in December
Average UV index in December
Average cloud cover in December
Average visibility in December

Wintertime in Anchorage, Alaska with mountains blanketed in snow

Weather in December

December marks the arrival of peak winter in Anchorage, with the city enveloped in a cool, serene ambiance. While temperatures decline further from November, heavy snowfall transforms the city into a winter wonderland. The precipitous reduction in daylight hours encapsulates Anchorage in an enchanting twilight, causing the city to glisten under ambient lighting. Despite experiencing the highest snowfall of the year at 5.51" (140mm), the city maintains excellent visibility. Steady winds blowing across the snowy landscapes intensify the winter vibe of Anchorage during December, making it a quintessential chilly month.

Temperature

Anchorage's average high-temperature in December sits at a still freezing cold 23.4°F (-4.8°C), showing little difference from the previous month. During the December nights, Anchorage's temperature maintains an average close to the daytime highs, settling at a still freezing cold 16.7°F (-8.5°C).

Humidity

In Anchorage, the average relative humidity in December is 84%.

Rainfall

In Anchorage, in December, it is raining for 8.6 days, with typically 1.18" (30mm) of accumulated precipitation. In Anchorage, during the entire year, the rain falls for 139.9 days and collects up to 12.6" (320mm) of precipitation.

Snowfall

January through May, September through December are months with snowfall. December is the month with the most snowfall. Snow falls for 11.6 days and accumulates 5.51" (140mm) of snow.

Ocean temperature

In Anchorage, Alaska, in December, the average water temperature is 39.6°F (4.2°C).
Note: In swimming scenarios, this is an immediate danger to life. Breathing becomes uncontrollable instantly, obstructing any form of clear thinking. A specialized swimsuit is indispensable to lessen thermal leakage.

Daylight

With an average of 5h and 36min of daylight, December has the shortest days of the year.
On the first day of the month, sunrise is at 9:47 am and sunset at 3:50 pm. On the last day of December, sunrise is at 10:13 am and sunset at 3:52 pm AKST.

Sunshine

December has the least sunshine of the year, with an average of 3.8h of sunshine.

UV index

In Anchorage, the average daily maximum UV index in December is 2. A UV Index estimate of 2, and below, represents a minimal health vulnerability from unsafe exposure to UV radiation for the average person.
Note: A typical high UV index of 2 in December suggests the following recommendations:
Sun exposure does not present considerable issues for many, yet infants, fair-skinned people, and children necessitate constant protection. To avoid the Sun's strongest rays, limit exposure around the mid-day period. Employ a hat with a wide brim for robust protection, cutting UV exposure by half. Stay alert! Snow's reflective properties can almost double the UV radiation from the Sun.

Updated: Jul 2, 2024
Published by: Weather Atlas | About Us
Data Sources | Weather Forecasting & Climate

Frequently asked questions

How cold is December?

The high-temperature, in December, in Anchorage, is 23.4°F (-4.8°C), while the low-temperature averages to 16.7°F (-8.5°C).

What is the average humidity in December in Anchorage?

In December, the average relative humidity is 84%.

How many days does it rain in December?

In Anchorage, in December, it is raining for 8.6 days, with typically 1.18" (30mm) of accumulated precipitation.

When does it snow the most?

December is the month with the most snowfall. Snow falls for 11.6 days and accumulates 5.51" (140mm) of snow.

How much does it snow in December?

In Anchorage, in December, snow falls for 11.6 days, with typically accumulated 5.51" (140mm) of snow.

What is the water temperature in December?

In December, the average ocean temperature is 39.6°F (4.2°C). For swimming, this is considered life-threatening and very dangerous. The water feels painfully cold, and hyperventilation quickly occurs. A specialized swimsuit is mandatory to reduce thermal damage.

What is the month with the shortest days?

December has the shortest days of the year, with an average of 5h and 36min of daylight.

What is the average length of the day in December?

The average day length in December is 5h and 38min.

When is the sunrise / sunset in December in Anchorage?

On the first day of December in Anchorage, sunrise is at 9:47 am and sunset at 3:50 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 10:13 am and sunset at 3:52 pm AKST.

What is the month with the least sunshine?

The month with the least sunshine is December, with an average of 3.8h of sunshine.

How long on average sun shines in December?

The average sunshine duration in December is 3.8h.

How high is the UV index in December in Anchorage?

In December, the average daily maximum UV index is 2. A UV Index of 2, and less, symbolizes a minimal health vulnerability from exposure to Sun's UV rays.

Today

Tomorrow

Long-term

Year J F M A M J J A S O N December

Nov

December

Jan

Average high temperature

28°F -2.2°C

23.4°F -4.8°C

20.3°F -6.5°C

Average low temperature

Average pressure

Average wind speed

Average max. wind speed

6.8mph 10.9km/h

6.7mph 10.8km/h

5.8mph 9.3km/h

Average wind speed gusts

Average humidity

Average rainfall

Average rainfall days

Average snowfall

Average snowfall days

8.5

11.6

9.3

Average sea temperature

Average daylight

Average sunshine

Average sunshine days

15.5

16.9

Average UV index

Average cloud cover

Average visibility

Average temperature in December
Anchorage, AK

Average high temperature in December: 23.4°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is July (61.9°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (20.3°F).

Average low temperature in December: 16.7°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is July (51.3°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (13.1°F).

Average pressure in December
Anchorage, AK

Average pressure in December: 29.67"Hg

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is July (29.96"Hg).
The months with the lowest atmospheric pressure are November and December (29.67"Hg).

Average wind speed in December
Anchorage, AK

Average wind speed in December: 6.2mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is November (6.3mph).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is July (4.5mph).

Average humidity in December
Anchorage, AK

Average humidity in December: 84%

The months with the highest relative humidity are January, February and March (86%).
The month with the lowest relative humidity is May (68%).

Average rainfall in December
Anchorage, AK

Average rainfall in December: 1.18"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is September (1.93").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is May (0.55").

Average rainfall days in December
Anchorage, AK

Average rainfall days in December: 8.6 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is August (17.9 days).
The month with the least rainy days is February (7 days).

Average snowfall in December
Anchorage, AK

Average snowfall in December: 5.51"

The month with the highest snowfall is December (5.51").
The months with the least snowfall are June, July and August (0").

Average snowfall days in December
Anchorage, AK

Average snowfall days in December: 11.6 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is December (11.6 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are June, July and August (0 days).

Average sea temperature in December
Anchorage, AK

Average sea temperature in December: 39.6°F

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is August (53.1°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average sea temperature) is February (35.8°F).

Average daylight in December /
Average sunshine in December
Anchorage, AK

Average daylight in December: 5h and 4min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 19h and 12min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 5h and 36min).

Average sunshine in December: 3h and 5min

The months with the most sunshine are May and June (Average sunshine: 11h and 42min).
The month with the least sunshine is December (Average sunshine: 3h and 48min).

Average sunshine days in December
Anchorage, AK

Average sunshine days in December: 15.5 days

The month with the most sunshine days is January (16.9 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is September (11.1 days).

Average UV index in December
Anchorage, AK

Average UV index in December: 2

The months with the highest UV index are June and July (UV index 4).
The month with the lowest UV index is February (UV index 1).

Average cloud cover in December
Anchorage, AK

Average cloud cover in December: 47

The month with the most cloud cover is December (Cloud cover 47).
The month with the least cloud cover is May (Cloud cover 38).

Average visibility in December
Anchorage, AK

Average visibility in December: 6mi

The months with the highest visibility are January, February, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).
The month with the lowest visibility is March (5mi).

December weather forecast
Anchorage, AK

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