December weather forecastDes Moines, IA
December
Weather in December
With the arrival of December, winter officially begins in Des Moines. Temperature levels continue to drop, causing a palpable rise in the humidity. The shrinking daylight and sunshine hours indicate the approach of the winter solstice. December's end sees a temperature range from 22.5°F (-5.3°C) to 34.2°F (1.2°C), validating the true winter season in the city. A beautiful white Christmas is often expected, marking a festive end to the year.Temperature
Setting in of December comes with a decrease in the average high-temperature, moving from a chilly 47.1°F (8.4°C) in November to a wintry 34.2°F (1.2°C). In Des Moines, December nights witness a steady temperature drop to a freezing cold 22.5°F (-5.3°C).Humidity
In December, the average relative humidity in Des Moines is 78%.Rainfall
In Des Moines, in December, it is raining for 4.1 days, with typically 0.55" (14mm) of accumulated precipitation. In Des Moines, during the entire year, the rain falls for 114.4 days and collects up to 16.38" (416mm) of precipitation.Snowfall
January through May, October through December are months with snowfall. In Des Moines, during December, snow falls for 5.7 days and regularly aggregates up to 0.91" (23mm) of snow. Throughout the year, there are 30.9 snowfall days, and 7.36" (187mm) of snow is accumulated.Daylight
With an average of 9h and 12min of daylight, December has the shortest days of the year.On the first day of December, sunrise is at 7:22 am and sunset at 4:45 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 7:41 am and sunset at 4:54 pm CST.
Sunshine
The average sunshine in December is 4.7h.UV index
The average daily maximum UV index in December is 2. A UV Index of 2, and less, symbolizes a minimal health hazard from exposure to the Sun's UV rays for the average person.Note: The maximum UV index, 2 during December, leads to the following recommendations:
Although prolonged sun exposure does not typically bother most people, children, babies, and those with sensitive skin should always have protection. The Sun is most powerful around mid-day, so it's a good practice to reduce direct exposure. Wearing sunglasses with both UVA and UVB protection effectively reduces sun-induced eye damage. Take precaution! The reflection from snow can almost double the UV radiation of the Sun.
Published by: Weather U.S. | About Us
Data Sources | Weather Forecasting & Climate
Frequently asked questions
Average temperature in December
Des Moines, IA
- Average high temperature in December: 34.2°F
The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is July (83.1°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (28.2°F).
- Average low temperature in December: 22.5°F
The month with the highest average low temperature is July (65.5°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (15.1°F).
Average pressure in December
Des Moines, IA
- Average pressure in December: 30.12"Hg
The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is January (30.16"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is June (29.88"Hg).
Average wind speed in December
Des Moines, IA
- Average wind speed in December: 9.9mph
The windiest months (with the highest average wind speed) are January, February, March and April (10.3mph).
The calmest months (with the lowest average wind speed) are July and August (7mph).
Average humidity in December
Des Moines, IA
- Average humidity in December: 78%
The months with the highest relative humidity are January and June (82%).
The month with the lowest relative humidity is October (70%).
Average rainfall in December
Des Moines, IA
- Average rainfall in December: 0.55"
The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is May (2.76").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is January (0.47").
Average rainfall days in December
Des Moines, IA
- Average rainfall days in December: 4.1 days
The month with the highest number of rainy days is June (15.9 days).
The month with the least rainy days is February (3 days).
Average snowfall in December
Des Moines, IA
- Average snowfall in December: 0.91"
The month with the highest snowfall is January (2.24").
The months with the least snowfall are June, July, August and September (0").
Average snowfall days in December
Des Moines, IA
- Average snowfall days in December: 5.7 days
The month with the highest number of snowfall days is January (8.7 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 Moines, IA
- Average daylight in December: 9h and 12min
The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 15h and 6min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 12min).
- Average sunshine in December: 4h and 42min
The month with the most sunshine is July (Average sunshine: 10h and 18min).
The month with the least sunshine is January (Average sunshine: 4h and 18min).
Average sunshine days in December
Des Moines, IA
- Average sunshine days in December: 22.3 days
The month with the most sunshine days is December (22.3 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is June (12.2 days).
Average UV index in December
Des Moines, IA
- Average UV index in December: 2
The months with the highest UV index are June, July and August (UV index 6).
The month with the lowest UV index is January (UV index 1).
Average cloud cover in December
Des Moines, IA
- Average cloud cover in December: 50
The month with the most cloud cover is January (Cloud cover 54).
The months with the least cloud cover are July and September (Cloud cover 29).
Average visibility in December
Des Moines, IA
- 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).
