Canmore

Alberta Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Alberta, Canada in December.

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

What to Expect in Alberta in December

Alberta, Canada is a region in Canada. The weather in Alberta in December can be quite varied, with very cold temperatures and precipitation levels ranging from low to moderate. The month of December is in the winter season.

Temperatures

The average maximum temperatures are very cold and range from -17°C (1°F) in Cape Hooper to 1°C (34°F) in Lethbridge. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to -9°C (16°F) in Lethbridge and -22°C (-8°F) in Cape Hooper. In numerous regions in Canada, 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.

For a closer look at conditions across Alberta, Canada, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From low snowfall in Youngstown with an average of 16 mm (0.6 in) to moderate snowfall in Waterton Park with 99 mm (3.9 in).

Average sunshine

Most areas see decent amounts of sunshine this month. Calgary gets around 112 hours of sunlight, providing a pleasant balance of sun and clouds. If you'd prefer more guaranteed sunshine, our weather planner can show you sunnier spots around the world.

Explore Alberta by month

Best Places to Visit in Alberta in December

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Alberta.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Alberta

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in Alberta, Canada?

Temperature range in Alberta (December)

Precipitation variation in Alberta (December)

Calgary

In December Calgary generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -1°C (30°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -12°C (10°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
4°C (39°F)
-1°C (30°F)
-2°C (28°F)
Min temperature
-7°C (19°F)
-12°C (10°F)
-12°C (10°F)
Monthly sun hours
121 hours
112 hours
120 hours
Monthly snowfall
23 mm (0.9 in)
18 mm (0.7 in)
17 mm (0.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
6 days
7 days
8 days
Weather conditions

Edmonton

In December Edmonton generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -5°C (23°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -15°C (5°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
0°C (32°F)
-5°C (23°F)
-6°C (21°F)
Min temperature
-9°C (16°F)
-15°C (5°F)
-16°C (3°F)
Monthly sun hours
98 hours
84 hours
100 hours
Monthly snowfall
26 mm (1 in)
19 mm (0.7 in)
23 mm (0.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
10 days
11 days
Weather conditions

Jasper

In December Jasper generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -10°C (14°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -17°C (1°F) and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
-5°C (23°F)
-10°C (14°F)
-9°C (16°F)
Min temperature
-14°C (7°F)
-17°C (1°F)
-16°C (3°F)
Monthly sun hours
73 hours
56 hours
71 hours
Monthly snowfall
73 mm (2.9 in)
53 mm (2.1 in)
58 mm (2.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
11 days
11 days
11 days
Weather conditions

Canmore

In December Canmore generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -9°C (16°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -17°C (1°F) and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
-3°C (27°F)
-9°C (16°F)
-8°C (18°F)
Min temperature
-13°C (9°F)
-17°C (1°F)
-16°C (3°F)
Monthly sun hours
80 hours
45 hours
57 hours
Monthly snowfall
44 mm (1.7 in)
32 mm (1.3 in)
33 mm (1.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
9 days
9 days
Weather conditions

Banff

In December Banff generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -10°C (14°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -18°C (0°F) and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
-5°C (23°F)
-10°C (14°F)
-9°C (16°F)
Min temperature
-14°C (7°F)
-18°C (0°F)
-17°C (1°F)
Monthly sun hours
80 hours
45 hours
57 hours
Monthly snowfall
48 mm (1.9 in)
35 mm (1.4 in)
36 mm (1.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
9 days
10 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Alberta, in Canada.

In our records: Canada December extremes

Notable December records observed across cities in Canada in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • Based on our data, the coldest December night in Canada dropped to -51°C (-60°F) in Mayo on December 22, 2022.
  • In our records, the coldest December daytime high in Canada was -49°C (-56°F) in Mayo on December 20, 2022.

Popular cities in December

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Alberta in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Jasper -10°C (14°F) -17°C (1°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Calgary -1°C (30°F) -12°C (10°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Edmonton -5°C (23°F) -15°C (5°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)
Canmore -9°C (16°F) -17°C (1°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Banff -10°C (14°F) -18°C (0°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Lake Louise -11°C (12°F) -19°C (-2°F) 51 mm (2 in)

Alberta weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Alberta, Canada in December?

In December, Alberta, Canada generally has poor weather conditions. Calgary sees daytime temperatures near -1°C (30°F), with nights cooling to roughly -12°C (10°F).

What is the average temperature in Alberta, Canada in December?

Calgary averages a daytime maximum of -1°C (30°F) in December, with overnight lows close to -12°C (10°F).

Does Alberta, Canada get a lot of snow in December?

Rain is generally moderate to light in Alberta, Canada during December, with Calgary averaging close to 18 mm (0.7 in).

Is December a Good Time to Visit Alberta, Canada?

In our view, December might not be the best time to travel to Alberta, Canada with often poor weather in Calgary.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in July and August offering mostly perfect weather in Calgary. On the other hand, the weather in January, February, November and December tend to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Alberta.

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

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

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.