December weather forecast
Des Plaines, IL

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Weather in December

December announces the end of the year in Des Plaines, heralding the arrival of full-blown winter. The temperatures plunge swiftly, reaching down to the chilling average low of 25.7°F (-3.5°C). The winter cold engulfs the city, and a white Christmas seems highly likely, echoing the festive spirit. The daylight hours are at their shortest, while the nights become longer. The transition to the next year is embraced under a blanket of snow, and January awaits with more severe winter conditions.

Temperature

The onset of December introduces a moderate change in Des Plaines's weather, with average high-temperatures falling from November's frosty 45.5°F (7.5°C) to a wintry 34.7°F (1.5°C). December nights reveal a minor deviation from daytime highs, with a mean low-temperature of 25.7°F (-3.5°C).

Humidity

In December, the average relative humidity is 80%.

Rainfall

December is the month with the least rainfall. Rain falls for 8 days and accumulates 1.5" (38mm) of precipitation.

Snowfall

January through May, October through December are months with snowfall. In Des Plaines, in December, during 8.1 snowfall days, 2.52" (64mm) of snow is typically accumulated. In Des Plaines, during the entire year, snow falls for 41.4 days and aggregates up to 17.52" (445mm) of snow.

Daylight

With an average of 9h and 12min of daylight, December has the shortest days of the year.
On the first day of the month, sunrise is at 7:00 am and sunset at 4:20 pm. On the last day of December, sunrise is at 7:19 am and sunset at 4:30 pm CST.

Sunshine

In Des Plaines, the average sunshine in December is 3.9h.

UV index

With an average maximum UV index of 1, December is the month with the lowest UV index. A UV Index value of 2, and less, symbolizes a minimal health hazard from unprotected exposure to Sun's UV rays for ordinary individuals.
Note: The daily maximum UV index of 1 in December interprets into the following advice:
Children, babies, and those with sensitive skin should always be shielded from long periods of sun exposure. Protect yourself from the midday Sun's peak UV radiation by minimizing exposure. Arm yourself against UV rays' harm with protective apparel and UV-filtering shades. Be aware! The reflective nature of snow can magnify the Sun's UV radiation almost twofold.

Frequently asked questions

How cold is it in December?

Des Plaines in December has an average high-temperature of 34.7°F (1.5°C) and an average low-temperature of 25.7°F (-3.5°C). The average heat index (a.k.a. 'apparent temperature', 'felt air temperature'), which factors the actual air temperature with the relative humidity, in July is computed to be 84.2°F (29°C).

What is the average humidity in December?

In December, the average relative humidity is 80%.

What is the driest month?

The month with the least rainfall is December, when the rain falls for 8 days and typically collects 1.5" (38mm) of precipitation.

How much does it rain in December?

In Des Plaines, in December, during 8 rainfall days, 1.5" (38mm) of precipitation is typically accumulated.

How much does it snow in December?

In Des Plaines, in December, snow falls for 8.1 days, with typically accumulated 2.52" (64mm) of snow.

What is the month with the shortest days?

The month with the shortest days is December, with an average of 9h and 12min of daylight.

How many hours of daylight does Des Plaines have in December?

The average day length in December is 9h and 11min.

When are sunrise and sunset in December?

In December, on the first day of the month, sunrise is at 7:00 am and sunset at 4:20 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 7:19 am and sunset at 4:30 pm CST.

How long on average sun shines in December?

The average sunshine duration in December is 3.9h.

When is the lowest UV index in Des Plaines?

December is the month with the lowest UV index, with an average maximum UV index of 1.

What is the UV index intensity in December?

In Des Plaines, the average daily maximum UV index in December is 1. A UV Index of 2, and less, symbolizes a low health threat from unprotected exposure to 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
Des Plaines, IL

Average temperature in December - Des Plaines, IL
  • Average high temperature in December: 34.7°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is July (80.6°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (28.8°F).

  • Average low temperature in December: 25.7°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is July (66.9°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (18.1°F).

Average pressure in December
Des Plaines, IL

Average pressure in December - Des Plaines, IL
  • Average pressure in December: 30.09"Hg

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is January (30.11"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is June (29.92"Hg).

Average wind speed in December
Des Plaines, IL

Average wind speed in December - Des Plaines, IL
  • Average wind speed in December: 10.1mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is January (10.8mph).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is August (6.8mph).

Average humidity in December
Des Plaines, IL

Average humidity in December - Des Plaines, IL
  • Average humidity in December: 80%

The months with the highest relative humidity are January and February (82%).
The month with the lowest relative humidity is October (72%).

Average rainfall in December
Des Plaines, IL

Average rainfall in December - Des Plaines, IL
  • Average rainfall in December: 1.5"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is May (4.21").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is December (1.5").

Average rainfall days in December
Des Plaines, IL

Average rainfall days in December - Des Plaines, IL
  • Average rainfall days in December: 8 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is May (18.5 days).
The month with the least rainy days is February (5.3 days).

Average snowfall in December
Des Plaines, IL

Average snowfall in December - Des Plaines, IL
  • Average snowfall in December: 2.52"

The month with the highest snowfall is February (4.84").
The months with the least snowfall are June, July, August and September (0").

Average snowfall days in December
Des Plaines, IL

Average snowfall days in December - Des Plaines, IL
  • Average snowfall days in December: 8.1 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is January (10.6 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are June, July, August and September (0 days).

Average daylight in December /
Average sunshine in December
Des Plaines, IL

Average daylight in December / Average sunshine in December - Des Plaines, IL
  • Average daylight in December: 9h and 1min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 15h and 12min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 12min).

  • Average sunshine in December: 3h and 5min

The months with the most sunshine are July and August (Average sunshine: 10h and 18min).
The month with the least sunshine is January (Average sunshine: 3h and 42min).

Average sunshine days in December
Des Plaines, IL

Average sunshine days in December - Des Plaines, IL
  • Average sunshine days in December: 16.9 days

The months with the most sunshine days are November and December (16.9 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is April (10.4 days).

Average UV index in December
Des Plaines, IL

Average UV index in December - Des Plaines, IL
  • Average UV index in December: 1

The months with the highest UV index are June, July and August (UV index 6).
The month with the lowest UV index is December (UV index 1).

Average cloud cover in December
Des Plaines, IL

Average cloud cover in December - Des Plaines, IL
  • Average cloud cover in December: 59

The month with the most cloud cover is January (Cloud cover 62).
The months with the least cloud cover are July and August (Cloud cover 29).

Average visibility in December
Des Plaines, IL

Average visibility in December - Des Plaines, IL
  • Average visibility in December: 6mi

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

Des Plaines, Illinois, USA

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