December weather forecastHill City, SD

December

Weather in December

Experiencing the height of winter, December in Hill City, South Dakota is characterized by snow-covered landscapes and sub-zero temperatures. A significant detail of this month is the 4.57" (116mm) of snow that marks the cityscape. The coldest period of the year is further emphasized by the steady increase in the relative humidity percentage, touching 74%. As the city moves into the heart of winter, daylight hours continue to shorten, leading to darker and longer nights. Despite the winter chill, December ushers the city towards the end of the year with a unique frosty allure that encourages locals and visitors alike to indulge in winter festivities.

Temperature

December is the month when Hill City, South Dakota, sees the lowest average temperatures, with a high of 29.8°F (-1.2°C) and a low of 16.5°F (-8.6°C).

Humidity

The average relative humidity in December is 74%.

Rainfall

In Hill City, in December, it is raining for 6.3 days, with typically 0.67" (17mm) of accumulated precipitation. In Hill City, during the entire year, the rain falls for 135.4 days and collects up to 20.39" (518mm) of precipitation.

Snowfall

Months with snowfall are January through May, September through December. In Hill City, in December, during 11.5 snowfall days, 4.57" (116mm) of snow is typically accumulated. In Hill City, South Dakota, during the entire year, snow falls for 75.1 days and aggregates up to 40.24" (1022mm) of snow.

Daylight

December has the shortest days of the year, with an average of 9h and 0min of daylight.
On the first day of December, sunrise is at 7:09 am and sunset at 4:17 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 7:28 am and sunset at 4:26 pm MST.

Sunshine

In Hill City, the average sunshine in December is 6.2h.

UV index

January through March, October through December, with an average maximum UV index of 2, are months with the lowest UV index. A UV Index reading of 2, and below, represents a low threat to health from exposure to the Sun's UV radiation for average individuals.
Note: The daily high UV index of 2 during December translates into the following recommendations:
Many can withstand an hour in the sun without burning, yet children must always have protection against sunlight. It's recommended to limit sun exposure when its radiation is at its peak during midday. Counter UV radiation's ill effects with clothing designed for sun safety and UV-resistant eyewear. Take precaution! The reflection from snow can almost double the UV radiation of the Sun.

Updated: Jul 10, 2024
Published by: Weather U.S. | About Us
Data Sources | Weather Forecasting & Climate

Frequently asked questions

The month of December, characterized by an average high of 29.8°F (-1.2°C) and a low of 16.5°F (-8.6°C), is recognized as the coldest.

In Hill City, 29.8°F (-1.2°C) is the average high-temperature and 16.5°F (-8.6°C) is the average low-temperature during December. The average heat index (a.k.a. 'feels like', 'apparent temperature'), which calculates the temperature value influenced by the moisture in the air, in July is estimated at 82.4°F (28°C).

In December, the average relative humidity is 74%.

In December, the rain falls for 6.3 days. Throughout December, 0.67" (17mm) of precipitation is accumulated.

In Hill City, in December, during 11.5 snowfall days, 4.57" (116mm) of snow is typically accumulated.

The month with the shortest days is December, with an average of 9h and 0min of daylight.

The average day length in December is 8h and 58min.

On the first day of December, sunrise is at 7:09 am and sunset at 4:17 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 7:28 am and sunset at 4:26 pm MST.

The average sunshine duration in December is 6.2h.

The months with the lowest UV index are January through March, October through December, with an average maximum UV index of 2.

In December, the average daily maximum UV index is 2. A UV Index of 2, and less, symbolizes a low health risk from unprotected exposure to UV radiation.

Today

Tomorrow

Long-term

Year J F M A M J J A S O N December

Nov

December

Jan

Average high temperature

42.3°F

29.8°F

31.1°F

Average low temperature

Average pressure

Average wind speed

Average max. wind speed

9.5mph

9.7mph

10mph

Average wind speed gusts

Average humidity

Average rainfall

Average rainfall days

Average snowfall

Average snowfall days

Average daylight

Average sunshine

Average sunshine days

19.2

18.1

17.4

Average UV index

Average cloud cover

Average visibility

Average temperature in December
Hill City, SD

Average high temperature in December: 29.8°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is July (81.7°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is December (29.8°F).

Average low temperature in December: 16.5°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is July (60.4°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is February (16.2°F).

Average pressure in December
Hill City, SD

Average pressure in December: 30.12"Hg

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is January (30.13"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is June (29.84"Hg).

Average wind speed in December
Hill City, SD

Average wind speed in December: 8.9mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is April (9.5mph).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is August (7mph).

Average humidity in December
Hill City, SD

Average humidity in December: 74%

The months with the highest relative humidity are January and February (77%).
The months with the lowest relative humidity are August and September (52%).

Average rainfall in December
Hill City, SD

Average rainfall in December: 0.67"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is June (3.19").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is January (0.47").

Average rainfall days in December
Hill City, SD

Average rainfall days in December: 6.3 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is May (18.6 days).
The month with the least rainy days is November (4.5 days).

Average snowfall in December
Hill City, SD

Average snowfall in December: 4.57"

The month with the highest snowfall is April (7.24").
The months with the least snowfall are June, July and August (0").

Average snowfall days in December
Hill City, SD

Average snowfall days in December: 11.5 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is February (12.9 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are June, July and August (0 days).

Average daylight in December /
Average sunshine in December
Hill City, SD

Average daylight in December: 9h and 0min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 15h and 24min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 0min).

Average sunshine in December: 6h and 12min

The month with the most sunshine is August (Average sunshine: 11h and 42min).
The month with the least sunshine is February (Average sunshine: 6h and 0min).

Average sunshine days in December
Hill City, SD

Average sunshine days in December: 18.1 days

The month with the most sunshine days is November (19.2 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is May (7.8 days).

Average UV index in December
Hill City, SD

Average UV index in December: 2

The month with the highest UV index is July (UV index 6).
The months with the lowest UV index are January, February, March, October, November and December (UV index 2).

Average cloud cover in December
Hill City, SD

Average cloud cover in December: 34

The month with the most cloud cover is April (Cloud cover 38).
The month with the least cloud cover is August (Cloud cover 17).

Average visibility in December
Hill City, SD

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).