December weather forecast
California, USA

December marks the beginning of the winter season in California, bringing cooler temperatures, increased precipitation, and in some areas, the onset of snowfall.

Coastal areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles see temperatures ranging from 50°F (10°C) to 60°F (15.6°C). The cooling trend is consistent, and the influence of the Pacific Ocean provides moderation, preventing extreme cold.

Inland regions and the Sierra Nevada mountains experience temperatures from 30°F (-1.1°C) to 40°F (4.4°C). The crispness of autumn gives way to the colder temperatures of winter, with snow becoming common in the higher altitudes.

Desert regions such as Death Valley witness further cooling, with temperatures between 60°F (15.6°C) to 70°F (21.1°C). The difference from the summer months is striking, highlighting the desert's temperature extremes.

Precipitation continues to increase in December, particularly in the north. Rainfall becomes more regular, and snowfall in the mountains contributes to the state's winter weather pattern.

Comparing December to November, the transition to winter is clear across California. Coastal areas continue to cool but remain relatively mild. Inland and mountainous regions experience more significant cooling, with the introduction of snowfall in higher elevations. The desert areas continue to cool down, leaving behind the intense heat of summer.

December's weather is characterized by the full arrival of winter, with cooler temperatures, increased precipitation, and the beginning of snow in appropriate regions. The complexity of California's geography, combined with its varied climate zones, creates a multifaceted weather pattern for December. From the relatively mild conditions on the coast to the winter chill of the mountains and the moderated desert temperatures, December in California offers a diverse weather experience. The progression from November's transitional weather to the more definitive winter conditions of December is marked and clear, as the state embraces the season's change.

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• Los Angeles - December »
  The arrival of winter in Los Angeles is evident in December, distinguished by colder temperatures, shorter daylight hours, and increased rainfall. In December, in Los Angeles, California, the rain falls for 5.8 days.
• San Francisco - December »
  December is the month when San Francisco, California, sees the lowest average temperatures, with a high of 55.8°F (13.2°C) and a low of 45.9°F (7.7°C). The month with the least sunshine in San Francisco is December, with an average of 5.8h of sunshine.
• San Diego - December »
  In San Diego in December, during 5.8 rainfall days, 1.65" (42mm) of precipitation is typically accumulated. January through March, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 4, are months with the lowest UV index in San Diego, California.
• San Jose - December »
  San Jose's temperature records reveal December as the coldest month, marked by average highs of 56.5°F (13.6°C) and lows of 43°F (6.1°C). San Jose's coldest month, December, registers temperatures that range from a high of 56.5°F (13.6°C) to a low of 43°F (6.1°C).
• Sacramento - December »
  Sacramento's December weather, marked by an average high temperature of 54.5°F (12.5°C) and an average low temperature of 41.4°F (5.2°C), is the coldest in the year. During the coldest month in Sacramento, December, temperatures average a high of 54.5°F (12.5°C) and a low of 41.4°F (5.2°C).
• Fresno - December »
  In Fresno during December, the rain falls for 7.8 days and regularly aggregates up to 1.57" (40mm) of precipitation. On the first day of December in Fresno sunrise is at 6:53 am and sunset at 4:43 pm.
• Long Beach - December »
  The months with the least sunshine in Long Beach are January, February and December, with an average of 6.8h of sunshine. The month with the shortest days in Long Beach is December, with an average of 10h and 0min of daylight.
• Oakland - December »
  December has the shortest days of the year in Oakland with an average of 9h and 36min of daylight. The coldest period in Oakland is December, when temperatures fluctuate between an average high of 55.8°F (13.2°C) and a low of 45.9°F (7.7°C).
• Bakersfield - December »
  The month with the shortest days in Bakersfield is December, with an average of 9h and 48min of daylight. The month with the shortest days in Bakersfield is December, with an average of 9h and 48min of daylight.
• Anaheim - December »
  Temperature records in Anaheim mark December as the coldest month, with highs averaging 64°F (17.8°C) and lows at 50.9°F (10.5°C). December stands out as Anaheim's coldest month, with temperatures ranging between an average high of 64°F (17.8°C) and a low of 50.9°F (10.5°C).
• Santa Ana - December »
  In Santa Ana the month of December is known for its lowest average temperatures, reaching a high of 63.7°F (17.6°C) and a low of 50.7°F (10.4°C). In Santa Ana during December, the rain falls for 6.3 days and regularly aggregates up to 1.54" (39mm) of precipitation.
• Riverside - December »
  December is the coldest month of the year in Riverside registering average temperatures as high as 63.3°F (17.4°C) and as low as 45.9°F (7.7°C). February and December, with an average of 6.8h of sunshine, are months with the least sunshine in Riverside, California.