ClimateForecastDecemberJanuary >>

Alaska weather in December

Considering a trip to Alaska this December and wondering about the expected weather conditions? Find all the crucial information you need right here, addressing your question:

What is the weather like in Alaska in December?

Alaska is a region in the United States of America. Alaska offers a broad spectrum of weather patterns. In December, one might encounter temperatures that range from very cold to cold, and precipitation levels ranging from low to heavy. In December, it is winter.

During the day temperatures vary from very cold in Point Barrow at -18°C to cold in Ketchikan at 5°C. At night it cools down to 1°C in Ketchikan and -23°C in Point Barrow. In numerous regions in the United States of America, December is marked by its cold weather conditions. If you're heading to these areas during this month, it's vital to be well-prepared. Dressing in layered and insulated outfits will ensure you stay warm.

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From low snowfall in Point Barrow with an average of 17 mm to heavy snowfall in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve with 514 mm. Anchorage experiences limited sunny days, amounting to roughly 55 hours of sunshine. This makes it perfect for those who prefer dimmer, cloudier settings rather than intense sunlit days

For specific regional insights in Alaska for December, refer to the map provided below. For an in-depth overview of the yearly weather conditions, do visit our Alaska climate page.

Where to go in Alaska in December

Find the average weather conditions in December for the most popular destinations in Alaska on the map below. Click on a destination dot for more detailed information.

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Legend perfect weather pleasant tolerable unpleasant poor
Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C and 29°C and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm a month).

Popular destinations in Alaska

What is the weather like in December for the 5 most popular destinations in Alaska?

Average weather in Anchorage

In December Anchorage generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -3°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -9°C and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Anchorage
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly snowfall precipitationSnowfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
-1°C 
-6°C 
83 hours 
78 mm 
9 days 
poor 
-3°C 
-9°C 
55 hours 
90 mm 
11 days 
poor 
January   >> January
>>  
-5°C 
-10°C 
85 hours 
63 mm 
8 days 
poor 
Climate in Anchorage

Average weather in Fairbanks

In December Fairbanks generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -13°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -21°C and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Fairbanks
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly snowfall precipitationSnowfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
-9°C 
-17°C 
71 hours 
22 mm 
11 days 
poor 
-13°C 
-21°C 
38 hours 
17 mm 
9 days 
poor 
January   >> January
>>  
-15°C 
-23°C 
56 hours 
17 mm 
7 days 
poor 
Climate in Fairbanks

Average weather in Juneau

In December Juneau generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -1°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -6°C and heavy monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Juneau
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly snowfall precipitationSnowfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
1°C 
-4°C 
57 hours 
285 mm 
18 days 
poor 
-1°C 
-6°C 
43 hours 
303 mm 
19 days 
poor 
January   >> January
>>  
-2°C 
-7°C 
82 hours 
270 mm 
17 days 
poor 
Climate in Juneau

Average weather in Kenai

In December Kenai generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -1°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -6°C and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Kenai
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
precipitationMonthly snowfall precipitationSnowfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
2°C 
-3°C 
83 mm 
11 days 
poor 
-1°C 
-6°C 
89 mm 
13 days 
poor 
January   >> January
>>  
-2°C 
-7°C 
65 mm 
11 days 
poor 
Climate in Kenai

Average weather in Soldotna

In December Soldotna generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -2°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -8°C and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Soldotna
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
precipitationMonthly snowfall precipitationSnowfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
2°C 
-5°C 
79 mm 
11 days 
poor 
-2°C 
-8°C 
87 mm 
13 days 
poor 
January   >> January
>>  
-3°C 
-9°C 
62 mm 
11 days 
poor 
Climate in Soldotna

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at other destinations in Alaska, in the United States of America.

Is December the best time to visit Alaska?

In our view, December might not be the best time to travel to Alaska with often poor weather in Anchorage.

Generally speaking, July provides pleasant weather in Anchorage. On the other hand, the weather in January, February, March, April, September, October, November and December tend to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Alaska. Interested in the weather conditions in a specific month? Select the month below.

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  • Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to the United States of America? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in the United States of America.

    Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.