Palm Desert Weather in December
Thinking of visiting Palm Desert in December? Expect pleasant temperatures reaching 20°C (68°F) during the day, dropping to 7°C (45°F) at night, and be prepared for the wettest month of the year.
Rainfall in Palm Desert in December
Despite being the month with the highest rainfall, the precipitation is quite minimal. You can expect rain on roughly 2 days based on historical data, averaging 19 mm (0.7 in) for the month. Although rain is not especially frequent, individual showers can still be quite heavy.
Temperature in Palm Desert in December
December tends to be one of the excellent months in Palm Desert, with 20°C (68°F) in the afternoon and 7°C (45°F) overnight. December is a notable month of the winter season. This creates a mild day-to-night pattern that is generally easy to manage with the right clothing. With lows around 7°C (45°F), nights are cold. The upside is that cool, crisp nights are often the best for a deep sleep. This period usually represents the year's more moderate temperatures, but it's far from being chilly.
Average water temperature in December
The water temperature is 16°C (61°F) — chilly, but perfectly fine for a swim if you're not too sensitive to cold water. A short wetsuit can make longer sessions more comfortable.If you favor pleasant temperatures and minimal rainfall, December is one of the best months to visit Palm Desert.
Check the conditions for any month of the year.
For a detailed overview over the year and the best time to visit the United States of America, check out our Palm Desert's climate page.
Palm Desert Temperature in December
Min Temperature
7°C (45°F)
Max Temperature
20°C (68°F)
Water Temperature
16°C (61°F) *
Chance of Rain
7%
Precipitation
19 mm (0.7 in)
Rainy days
2 days
Daily Historical Temperatures
50-year average (1976-2025)
Based on our historical records, temperatures in Palm Desert typically stay consistent throughout December, with daily highs averaging around 20°C (68°F). Nights are cold, with lows typically ranging from 5°C (41°F) to 8°C (46°F).
Average temperatures in December
Daily Historical Precipitation
50-year average (1976-2025)
Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.
Average precipitation in December
Historical weather for Palm Desert in December
Browse day-by-day weather records for Palm Desert spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.
Palm Desert historical weather extremes in December
Based on 28 years of weather observations in Palm Desert between 1997 and 2025, these are the recorded extremes.
- The warmest day in December was on December 1, 2021, with a maximum of 32°C (90°F).
- The lowest daytime temperature in December was 10°C (50°F), recorded on December 15, 2008.
- Nighttime temperatures dropped to -3°C (27°F) on December 27, 1997, marking the coldest December night on record.
Best Places in the United States of America in December
Find out more about the weather in the United States of America and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of the United States of America in December →
perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor
What to Wear in Palm Desert in December
For Palm Desert in December, you'll want flexible clothing. It's wise to pack cotton shirts, comfortable shorts, and a pair of jeans for cooler evenings. A light sweater or jacket is useful for air-conditioned spaces (like buses) or unexpected cool moments. Almost no rain is expected, so no need to bring rain gear. Expect water temperatures of around 16°C (61°F), which is definitely too cold for comfortable swimming. Your luggage space is better used for other items.What To Do in Palm Desert in December
We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.
Check the conditions for any month of the year.
For a detailed overview over the year and the best time to visit the United States of America, check out our Palm Desert's climate page.
Temperature Rainfall Water Temp
See the full Palm Desert climate overview or explore weather in the United States of America.
