December weather forecast
Fairbanks, AK

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The scenic Fairbanks City in Alaska, seen from across the Chena River
The scenic Fairbanks City in Alaska, seen from across the Chena River

Weather in December

December in Fairbanks welcomes the winter season in all its glory. Temperatures drop to painfully chilly levels with daily averages dipping to minimum values around -4.9°F (-20.5°C). The snowfall is dense, recording a lower quantity of 2.72" (69mm) compared to the previous month. Amid the holiday cheer, the city plunges into frosty winter darkness.

Temperature

Fairbanks's transition into December involves a gentle shift in temperature, receding from a frigid cold 11.5°F (-11.4°C) in November to an extremely cold 5.9°F (-14.5°C). During the month of December, the nighttime temperature falls to an average of -4.9°F (-20.5°C).

Humidity

The average relative humidity in December is 92%.

Rainfall

In December, the rain falls for 3.2 days. Throughout December, 0.39" (10mm) of precipitation is accumulated. In Fairbanks, during the entire year, the rain falls for 100.5 days and collects up to 10.87" (276mm) of precipitation.

Snowfall

January through May, August through December are months with snowfall. In Fairbanks, during December, snow falls for 11.4 days and regularly aggregates up to 2.72" (69mm) of snow. In Fairbanks, during the entire year, snow falls for 74.3 days and aggregates up to 24.49" (622mm) of snow.

Daylight

The month with the shortest days is December, with an average of 4h and 0min of daylight.
On the first day of the month, sunrise is at 10:21 am and sunset at 2:59 pm. On the last day of December, sunrise is at 10:54 am and sunset at 2:54 pm AKST.

Sunshine

December has the least sunshine of the year, with an average of 2h of sunshine.

UV index

The months with the lowest UV index are January through March, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 1. A UV Index value of 2, and less, symbolizes a minimal health hazard from exposure to the Sun's UV rays for ordinary individuals.
Note: The maximum UV index of 1 during December translates into these guidelines:
Most individuals face no major issues with lengthy exposure to the sun, but children, infants, and individuals with fair skin always require protection. Avoiding the Sun's peak radiation during midday hours is essential for health and safety. Employ a hat with a wide brim for robust protection, cutting UV exposure by half. Be prepared! The intensity of the Sun's UV radiation can be amplified nearly double due to snow reflection.
Updated: Aug 26, 2024
Published by: Weather U.S. | About Us
Data Sources | Weather Forecasting & Climate

Frequently asked questions

How cold is December?

During December, Fairbanks experiences an average high-temperature of 5.9°F (-14.5°C) and a low-temperature of -4.9°F (-20.5°C).

What is the average humidity in December?

In December, the average relative humidity is 92%.

How many days does it rain in December?

In Fairbanks, in December, it is raining for 3.2 days, with typically 0.39" (10mm) of accumulated precipitation.

How much does it snow in December?

In December, it is snowing for 11.4 days. Throughout December, 2.72" (69mm) of snow is accumulated.

What is the month with the shortest days?

December has the shortest days of the year, with an average of 4h and 0min of daylight.

How many hours of daylight does Fairbanks have in December?

The average day length in December in Fairbanks is 3h and 59min.

When is the sunrise / sunset in December?

On the first day of December in Fairbanks, sunrise is at 10:21 am and sunset at 2:59 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 10:54 am and sunset at 2:54 pm AKST.

What is the month with the least sunshine?

With an average of 2h of sunshine, December has the least sunshine of the year.

How many hours of sunshine does Fairbanks have in December?

In Fairbanks, the average sunshine duration in December is 2h.

What are the months with the lowest UV index?

January through March, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 1, are months with the lowest UV index.

How high is the UV index in December?

The average daily maximum UV index in December is 1. A UV Index reading of 2, and below, represents a minimal hazard to health from exposure to the Sun's UV radiation.
Average humidity
Average rainfall days
Average snowfall days
Average daylight
Average sunshine
Average sunshine days
Average UV index
Average cloud cover
Average visibility

Average temperature in December
Fairbanks, AK

Average temperature in December - Fairbanks, AK
  • Average high temperature in December: 5.9°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is July (70.7°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (2.1°F).

  • Average low temperature in December: -4.9°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is July (50.5°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (-9°F).

Average pressure in December
Fairbanks, AK

Average pressure in December - Fairbanks, AK
  • Average pressure in December: 29.86"Hg

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is February (29.97"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is September (29.77"Hg).

Average wind speed in December
Fairbanks, AK

Average wind speed in December - Fairbanks, AK
  • Average wind speed in December: 4.2mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is May (5mph).
The calmest months (with the lowest average wind speed) are October, November and December (4.2mph).

Average humidity in December
Fairbanks, AK

Average humidity in December - Fairbanks, AK
  • Average humidity in December: 92%

The month with the highest relative humidity is March (93%).
The month with the lowest relative humidity is June (56%).

Average rainfall in December
Fairbanks, AK

Average rainfall in December - Fairbanks, AK
  • Average rainfall in December: 0.39"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is August (2.44").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is January (0.31").

Average rainfall days in December
Fairbanks, AK

Average rainfall days in December - Fairbanks, AK
  • Average rainfall days in December: 3.2 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is August (16.4 days).
The month with the least rainy days is February (1.8 days).

Average snowfall in December
Fairbanks, AK

Average snowfall in December - Fairbanks, AK
  • Average snowfall in December: 2.72"

The month with the highest snowfall is November (6.5").
The months with the least snowfall are June and July (0").

Average snowfall days in December
Fairbanks, AK

Average snowfall days in December - Fairbanks, AK
  • Average snowfall days in December: 11.4 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is November (13.3 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are June and July (0 days).

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

Average daylight in December / Average sunshine in December - Fairbanks, AK
  • Average daylight in December: 4h and 0min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 21h and 30min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 4h and 0min).

  • Average sunshine in December: 2h and 0min

The month with the most sunshine is June (Average sunshine: 12h and 6min).
The month with the least sunshine is December (Average sunshine: 2h and 0min).

Average sunshine days in December
Fairbanks, AK

Average sunshine days in December - Fairbanks, AK
  • Average sunshine days in December: 19.7 days

The month with the most sunshine days is January (21.4 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is April (12.2 days).

Average UV index in December
Fairbanks, AK

Average UV index in December - Fairbanks, AK
  • Average UV index in December: 1

The months with the highest UV index are June and July (UV index 5).
The months with the lowest UV index are January, February, March, November and December (UV index 1).

Average cloud cover in December
Fairbanks, AK

Average cloud cover in December - Fairbanks, AK
  • Average cloud cover in December: 50

The months with the most cloud cover are March, April and November (Cloud cover 53).
The month with the least cloud cover is May (Cloud cover 39).

Average visibility in December
Fairbanks, AK

Average visibility in December - Fairbanks, AK
  • Average visibility in December: 4mi

The months with the highest visibility are May, June, July, August, September and October (6mi).
The months with the lowest visibility are January, February, March, April, November and December (4mi).

Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

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