December weather forecast
Portales, NM

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Silhouette windmill images on a small hill in Portales in NM, below the colorful yellow, orange, and grey sunset sky
Silhouette windmill images on a small hill in Portales in NM, below the colorful yellow, orange, and grey sunset sky

Weather in December

December in Portales, New Mexico bears the return of winter with temperatures dropping from 31.1°F (-0.5°C) to 50°F (10°C). Amid the chill, the city glows under the holiday lights, making the shorter days feel magical rather than gloomy. The cool weather is accompanied by the second-highest snowfall of 1.18" (30mm), adding to the festive ambiance. The drop in temperature heralds the need for warmth and comfort. As the year inches towards its close, the wintry month of December wraps the city in a blanket of frost and cheer.

Temperature

December, known for its average high temperature of 50°F (10°C) and an average low temperature of 31.1°F (-0.5°C), is the coldest month in Portales.

Humidity

December is the most humid month, with an average relative humidity of 54%.

Rainfall

In December, the rain falls for 4.3 days. Throughout December, 0.43" (11mm) of precipitation is accumulated. Throughout the year, there are 86.6 rainfall days, and 11.77" (299mm) of precipitation is accumulated.

Snowfall

Months with snowfall in Portales are January through April, October through December. In December, it is snowing for 3.5 days. Throughout December, 1.18" (30mm) of snow is accumulated. Throughout the year, there are 12.8 snowfall days, and 5.79" (147mm) of snow is accumulated.

Daylight

With an average of 9h and 54min of daylight, December has the shortest days of the year.
On the first day of December, sunrise is at 6:41 am and sunset at 4:43 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 6:59 am and sunset at 4:54 pm MST.

Sunshine

The months with the least sunshine are January, February and December, with an average of 7h of sunshine.

UV index

The month with the lowest UV index is December, with an average maximum UV index of 2. A UV Index estimate of 2, and below, represents a minimal health hazard from exposure to the Sun's UV rays for ordinary individuals.
Note: The daily maximum UV index of 2 in December interprets into the following advice:
Despite the majority tolerating prolonged sun exposure, those with sensitive skin, infants, and children demand continual protection. Midday Sun has the strongest UV rays, making it crucial to limit exposure and find shade. Sun-protective clothing, a long-sleeved shirt and pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and UVA and UVB-blocking sunglasses are particularly helpful in blocking UV radiation's harmful effects. Consider carefully! The reflective quality of snow can almost double the intensity of the Sun's UV radiation.
Updated: Jul 23, 2024
Published by: Weather U.S. | About Us
Data Sources | Weather Forecasting & Climate

Frequently asked questions

What is the coldest time of year?

Portales's December weather reaches an average high of 50°F (10°C) and an average low of 31.1°F (-0.5°C), making it the coldest month.

What is the temperature in December?

An average high-temperature, in December, in Portales, is 50°F (10°C) and the average low-temperature is 31.1°F (-0.5°C). In September, the average heat index (a.k.a. 'feels like', 'apparent temperature'), which calculates the temperature value influenced by the moisture in the air, is evaluated at 82.4°F (28°C).

What is the most humid month?

With an average relative humidity of 54%, December is the most humid month in Portales.

What is the average humidity in December?

In Portales, the average relative humidity in December is 54%.

How much does it rain in December?

In Portales, during December, the rain falls for 4.3 days and regularly aggregates up to 0.43" (11mm) of precipitation.

How many days does it snow in December?

In Portales, in December, snow falls for 3.5 days, with typically accumulated 1.18" (30mm) of snow.

What is the month with the shortest days?

The month with the shortest days is December, with an average of 9h and 54min of daylight.

What is the average length of the day in December?

In Portales, the average day length in December is 9h and 55min.

What time are sunrise and sunset in December?

In December, on the first day of the month, sunrise is at 6:41 am and sunset at 4:43 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 6:59 am and sunset at 4:54 pm MST.

What is the month with the least sunshine?

The months with the least sunshine are January, February and December, with an average of 7h of sunshine.

How long on average sun shines in December?

The average sunshine duration in December is 7h.

What is the month with the lowest UV index?

The month with the lowest UV index is December, with an average maximum UV index of 2.

How high is the UV index in December?

The average daily maximum UV index in December is 2. A UV Index value of 2, and less, symbolizes a low health threat from exposure to the Sun's 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
Portales, NM

Average temperature in December - Portales, NM
  • Average high temperature in December: 50°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is June (90.7°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is December (50°F).

  • Average low temperature in December: 31.1°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is July (69.4°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is December (31.1°F).

Average pressure in December
Portales, NM

Average pressure in December - Portales, NM
  • 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 (29.84"Hg).

Average wind speed in December
Portales, NM

Average wind speed in December - Portales, NM
  • Average wind speed in December: 11.6mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is April (13.3mph).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is August (9.9mph).

Average humidity in December
Portales, NM

Average humidity in December - Portales, NM
  • Average humidity in December: 54%

The month with the highest relative humidity is December (54%).
The month with the lowest relative humidity is April (34%).

Average rainfall in December
Portales, NM

Average rainfall in December - Portales, NM
  • Average rainfall in December: 0.43"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is October (1.81").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is November (0.28").

Average rainfall days in December
Portales, NM

Average rainfall days in December - Portales, NM
  • Average rainfall days in December: 4.3 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is July (12.9 days).
The month with the least rainy days is November (2.6 days).

Average snowfall in December
Portales, NM

Average snowfall in December - Portales, NM
  • Average snowfall in December: 1.18"

The months with the highest snowfall are January and February (1.34").
The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August and September (0").

Average snowfall days in December
Portales, NM

Average snowfall days in December - Portales, NM
  • Average snowfall days in December: 3.5 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is December (3.5 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are May, June, July, August and September (0 days).

Average daylight in December /
Average sunshine in December
Portales, NM

Average daylight in December / Average sunshine in December - Portales, NM
  • 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: 7h and 0min

The month with the most sunshine is June (Average sunshine: 11h and 54min).
The months with the least sunshine are January, February and December (Average sunshine: 7h and 0min).

Average sunshine days in December
Portales, NM

Average sunshine days in December - Portales, NM
  • Average sunshine days in December: 23.7 days

The month with the most sunshine days is January (26.4 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is August (14 days).

Average UV index in December
Portales, NM

Average UV index in December - Portales, NM
  • Average UV index in December: 2

The months with the highest UV index are June, July and August (UV index 7).
The month with the lowest UV index is December (UV index 2).

Average cloud cover in December
Portales, NM

Average cloud cover in December - Portales, NM
  • Average cloud cover in December: 21

The month with the most cloud cover is December (Cloud cover 21).
The month with the least cloud cover is June (Cloud cover 13).

Average visibility in December
Portales, NM

Average visibility in December - Portales, NM
  • 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).

Portales, New Mexico, USA

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