December weather forecast
Santa Cruz, CA

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Sandy beach, scenic trees, and residential homes of the bay area in Santa Cruz, California
Sandy beach, scenic trees, and residential homes of the bay area in Santa Cruz, California

Weather in December

December marks the advent of winter for Santa Cruz, cueing in cooler temperatures and an increase in rainfall. It's the month with the highest recorded rainfall of 2.8" (71mm) and a typically high cloud percentage of up to 35%. Despite the increase in precipitation, wind speed remains moderate, barely crossing the 6.2mph (10km/h) mark. Visitors can still enjoy the great outdoors, with the region offering a diverse range of winter activities. Harmony with nature, in the winter wonderland of Santa Cruz, creates an enchanting experience, full of warmth and joy.

Temperature

December, with its average high-temperature of 57.2°F (14°C) and an average low-temperature of 46.2°F (7.9°C), holds the record as the coldest month in Santa Cruz.

Humidity

In December, the average relative humidity in Santa Cruz is 71%.

Rainfall

December is the month with the most rainfall in Santa Cruz. Rain falls for 10.3 days and accumulates 2.8" (71mm) of precipitation.

Ocean temperature

In Santa Cruz, in December, the average water temperature is 55.6°F (13.1°C).
Note: Swimming in 55.6°F (13.1°C) is considered dangerous. Unprotected immersion in temperatures below 50°F (10°C) causes quickly maximum intensity cold shock with hyperventilation.

Daylight

With an average of 9h and 42min of daylight, December has the shortest days of the year in Santa Cruz, California.
On the first day of the month, sunrise is at 7:03 am and sunset at 4:51 pm. On the last day of December, in Santa Cruz, sunrise is at 7:21 am and sunset at 5:01 pm PST.

Sunshine

With an average of 5.8h of sunshine, December has the least sunshine of the year.

UV index

In December, the average daily maximum UV index is 4. A UV Index of 3 to 5 symbolizes a medium vulnerability from exposure to the Sun's UV radiation for ordinary individuals.
Note: The UV index of 4 in December translates into these instructions:
Exercise prudence. Persons with fair skin could be burned in under 30 minutes. The Sun is most powerful around mid-day, so it's a good practice to reduce direct exposure. For holistic sun protection encompassing the eyes, ears, face, and neck, a wide-brim hat is key.
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Frequently asked questions

What month is the coldest in Santa Cruz?

December is the month when Santa Cruz sees the average lowest temperatures, with a high of 57.2°F (14°C) and a low of 46.2°F (7.9°C).

What is the usual temperature for Santa Cruz in December?

An average high-temperature, in December, in Santa Cruz, is 57.2°F (14°C) and the average low-temperature is 46.2°F (7.9°C).

What is the average humidity in December in Santa Cruz?

The average relative humidity in December in Santa Cruz is 71%.

What is the rainiest month in Santa Cruz?

December is the month with the most rainfall in Santa Cruz. Rain falls for 10.3 days and accumulates 2.8" (71mm) of precipitation.

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

In Santa Cruz, in December, it is raining for 10.3 days, with typically 2.8" (71mm) of accumulated precipitation.

How cold is the water in December in Santa Cruz?

In Santa Cruz, in December, the average water temperature is 55.6°F (13.1°C). Swimming in 55.6°F (13.1°C) is considered life-threatening. Even a few minutes in 55.4°F (13°C) water is uncomfortable, and swimming below 50°F (10°C) may cause total loss of breathing control and cold shock, depending on a person's physique.

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

December has the shortest days of the year, with an average of 9h and 42min of daylight.

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

In Santa Cruz, California, the average day length in December is 9h and 40min.

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

On the first day of December in Santa Cruz, California, sunrise is at 7:03 am and sunset at 4:51 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 7:21 am and sunset at 5:01 pm PST.

What is the month with the least sunshine in Santa Cruz?

December has the least sunshine of the year in Santa Cruz, with an average of 5.8h of sunshine.

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

In Santa Cruz, California, the average sunshine duration in December is 5.8h.

What is the UV index intensity in December in Santa Cruz?

The average daily maximum UV index in December in Santa Cruz is 4. A UV Index of 3 to 5 symbolizes a moderate vulnerability from unprotected exposure to UV radiation.
Average humidity
Average rainfall days
Average daylight
Average sunshine
Average sunshine days
Average UV index
Average cloud cover
Average visibility

Average temperature in December
Santa Cruz, CA

Average temperature in December - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average high temperature in December: 57.2°F

The warmest months (with the highest average high temperature) are August and September (73°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is December (57.2°F).

  • Average low temperature in December: 46.2°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is September (55.2°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is February (45.5°F).

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Average pressure in December
Santa Cruz, CA

Average pressure in December - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average pressure in December: 30.11"Hg

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is January (30.13"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is September (29.92"Hg).

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Average wind speed in December
Santa Cruz, CA

Average wind speed in December - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average wind speed in December: 6.2mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is April (7.4mph).
The calmest months (with the lowest average wind speed) are July and August (5.5mph).

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Average humidity in December
Santa Cruz, CA

Average humidity in December - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average humidity in December: 71%

The month with the highest relative humidity is March (75%).
The month with the lowest relative humidity is October (68%).

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Average rainfall in December
Santa Cruz, CA

Average rainfall in December - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average rainfall in December: 2.8"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is December (2.8").
The driest months (with the least rainfall) are July and August (0.04").

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Average rainfall days in December
Santa Cruz, CA

Average rainfall days in December - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average rainfall days in December: 10.3 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is March (13.4 days).
The month with the least rainy days is August (1.2 days).

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Average sea temperature in December
Santa Cruz, CA

Average sea temperature in December - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average sea temperature in December: 55.5°F

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is September (58.2°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average sea temperature) is April (53.9°F).

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

Average daylight in December / Average sunshine in December - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average daylight in December: 9h and 4min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 14h and 42min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 42min).

  • Average sunshine in December: 5h and 5min

The month with the most sunshine is July (Average sunshine: 11h and 42min).
The month with the least sunshine is December (Average sunshine: 5h and 48min).

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Average sunshine days in December
Santa Cruz, CA

Average sunshine days in December - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average sunshine days in December: 19.5 days

The month with the most sunshine days is August (27.8 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is March (16.4 days).

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Average UV index in December
Santa Cruz, CA

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

The months with the highest UV index are June, July, August and September (UV index 5).
The months with the lowest UV index are February and November (UV index 3).

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Average cloud cover in December
Santa Cruz, CA

Average cloud cover in December - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average cloud cover in December: 35

The month with the most cloud cover is March (Cloud cover 38).
The months with the least cloud cover are July and September (Cloud cover 15).

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Average visibility in December
Santa Cruz, CA

Average visibility in December - Santa Cruz, 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 Cruz, California, USA

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