December weather forecast
Santa Barbara, CA

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Orange rooftops of the courthouse buildings of Santa Barbara in California, Pacific Ocean
Orange rooftops of the courthouse buildings of Santa Barbara in California, Pacific Ocean

Weather in December

December in Santa Barbara sees the full arrival of winter, marked by the year’s lowest average temperatures with a high of 60.6°F (15.9°C) and a low of 48.6°F (9.2°C). This is also the wettest month of the year, with rainfall reaching up to 1.34" (34mm) over the course of 5.7 days. Despite the chilly temperatures, the city basks in nearly 6.8 hours of daily sunshine. Residents bundle up in warmer clothing while a distinct holiday spirit fills the air as the New Year approaches.

Temperature

The coldest month is December, with an average high-temperature of 60.6°F (15.9°C) and an average low-temperature of 48.6°F (9.2°C).

Humidity

In Santa Barbara, the average relative humidity in December is 60%.

Rainfall

In December, in Santa Barbara, the rain falls for 5.7 days. Throughout December, 1.34" (34mm) of precipitation is accumulated. In Santa Barbara, during the entire year, the rain falls for 43.7 days and collects up to 7.68" (195mm) of precipitation.

Ocean temperature

In December, the average ocean temperature in Santa Barbara is 58.5°F (14.7°C).
Note: With the appropriate swimsuit, one can swim in 58.5°F (14.7°C) even if temperatures dip below 50°F (10°C); otherwise, be ready for cold shock and breath issues. A fleeting swim around 55.4°F (13°C) is distressing.

Daylight

With an average of 9h and 54min of daylight, December has the shortest days of the year.
On the first day of the month, sunrise is at 6:47 am and sunset at 4:48 pm. On the last day of December, sunrise is at 7:05 am and sunset at 4:59 pm PST.

Sunshine

In December, the average sunshine in Santa Barbara is 6.8h.

UV index

January through March, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 4, are months with the lowest UV index in Santa Barbara. A UV Index of 3 to 5 symbolizes a moderate health risk from exposure to the Sun's UV radiation for the average person.
Note: The maximum UV index of 4 during December leads to these instructions:
Undertake precautions - Guarding against sun damage is counselled. UV radiation from the Sun is most dangerous during midday; take precautions and seek shade. Tightly woven clothing, when worn loosely, shields effectively against the Sun.
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Frequently asked questions

What time of the year is the coldest in Santa Barbara?

In Santa Barbara, December records the average lowest temperatures, peaking at 60.6°F (15.9°C) and reaching a low of 48.6°F (9.2°C).

What is the usual temperature for Santa Barbara in December?

Santa Barbara in December has an average high-temperature of 60.6°F (15.9°C) and an average low-temperature of 48.6°F (9.2°C).

What is the average humidity in December in Santa Barbara?

In December, the average relative humidity in Santa Barbara is 60%.

How many days does it rain in December in Santa Barbara?

In December, the rain falls for 5.7 days. Throughout December, 1.34" (34mm) of precipitation is accumulated.

How cold is the water in December in Santa Barbara?

In December, the average ocean temperature in Santa Barbara, California, is 58.5°F (14.7°C). Swimming in 58.5°F (14.7°C) is considered dangerous. Unprotected immersion in temperatures below 50°F (10°C) causes quickly maximum intensity cold shock with hyperventilation.

What is the month with the shortest days in Santa Barbara?

December has the shortest days of the year in Santa Barbara, with an average of 9h and 54min of daylight.

How many hours of daylight does Santa Barbara have in December?

In Santa Barbara, the average day length in December is 9h and 54min.

What time are sunrise and sunset in December in Santa Barbara?

On the first day of December in Santa Barbara, sunrise is at 6:47 am and sunset at 4:48 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 7:05 am and sunset at 4:59 pm PST.

How long on average sun shines in December in Santa Barbara?

In December, the average sunshine duration in Santa Barbara is 6.8h.

When is the lowest UV index in Santa Barbara?

January through March, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 4, are months with the lowest UV index in Santa Barbara.

How high is the UV index in December in Santa Barbara?

The average daily maximum UV index in December in Santa Barbara is 4. A UV Index value of 3 to 5 symbolizes a moderate vulnerability from exposure to Sun's UV rays.

Average temperature in December
Santa Barbara, CA

Average temperature in December - Santa Barbara, CA
  • Average high temperature in December: 60.6°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is August (79.2°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is December (60.6°F).

  • Average low temperature in December: 48.6°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is August (62.1°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is February (47.7°F).

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Average pressure in December
Santa Barbara, CA

Average pressure in December - Santa Barbara, CA
  • Average pressure in December: 30.08"Hg

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is January (30.11"Hg).
The months with the lowest atmospheric pressure are June, August and September (29.91"Hg).

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Average wind speed in December
Santa Barbara, CA

Average wind speed in December - Santa Barbara, CA
  • Average wind speed in December: 6.6mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is April (8.1mph).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is July (5.6mph).

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Average humidity in December
Santa Barbara, CA

Average humidity in December - Santa Barbara, CA
  • Average humidity in December: 60%

The month with the highest relative humidity is March (64%).
The months with the lowest relative humidity are September, October and November (56%).

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Average rainfall in December
Santa Barbara, CA

Average rainfall in December - Santa Barbara, CA
  • Average rainfall in December: 1.34"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is January (1.57").
The driest months (with the least rainfall) are June and August (0.08").

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Average rainfall days in December
Santa Barbara, CA

Average rainfall days in December - Santa Barbara, CA
  • Average rainfall days in December: 5.7 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is March (7.3 days).
The month with the least rainy days is June (1.2 days).

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Average sea temperature in December
Santa Barbara, CA

Average sea temperature in December - Santa Barbara, CA
  • Average sea temperature in December: 58.5°F

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is August (62.2°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average sea temperature) is April (55.7°F).

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Average daylight in December /
Average sunshine in December
Santa Barbara, CA

Average daylight in December / Average sunshine in December - Santa Barbara, CA
  • Average daylight in December: 9h and 5min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 14h and 24min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 54min).

  • Average sunshine in December: 6h and 5min

The months with the most sunshine are June and July (Average sunshine: 12h and 0min).
The month with the least sunshine is February (Average sunshine: 6h and 36min).

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Average sunshine days in December
Santa Barbara, CA

Average sunshine days in December - Santa Barbara, CA
  • Average sunshine days in December: 24.6 days

The month with the most sunshine days is August (28 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is February (21.6 days).

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Average UV index in December
Santa Barbara, CA

Average UV index in December - Santa Barbara, CA
  • Average UV index in December: 4

The months with the highest UV index are June, July, August and September (UV index 6).
The months with the lowest UV index are January, February, March, November and December (UV index 4).

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Average cloud cover in December
Santa Barbara, CA

Average cloud cover in December - Santa Barbara, CA
  • Average cloud cover in December: 22

The month with the most cloud cover is March (Cloud cover 23).
The month with the least cloud cover is August (Cloud cover 5).

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Average visibility in December
Santa Barbara, CA

Average visibility in December - Santa Barbara, CA
  • 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).

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Santa Barbara, California, USA

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