Banff

Banff National Park Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Banff National Park, Canada in December.

Planning a trip to Banff National Park, Canada this December? Here's what you need to know about the weather:

What to Expect in Banff National Park in December

Banff National Park, Canada is a region in Canada. December in Banff National Park generally has very cold temperatures, with moderate precipitation. December falls during the winter season.

Temperatures

You can expect very cold maximum daytime temperatures of around -10°C (14°F) and nighttime temperatures around -18°C (0°F) in Banff. In general, this month stands out as the coldest period throughout the year. Given the lower temperatures, it's essential to be well-prepared. Packing the right winter clothing and necessary accessories can make a significant difference in ensuring your comfort and well-being during this chilly season.

To explore the conditions in Banff National Park, Canada in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate snowfall in Banff with an average of 35 mm (1.4 in) to moderate snowfall in Lake Louise with 51 mm (2 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine hours are generally lower in most areas during December. Banff experiences about 45 hours of sunlight. If you're looking for brighter destinations, our weather planner can suggest better options.

Explore Banff National Park by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Banff National Park — and find the best time to visit. (based on Banff)

Best Places to Visit in Banff National Park in December

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

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 Banff National Park

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

Temperature range in Banff National Park (December)

Precipitation variation in Banff National Park (December)

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

Lake Louise

In December Lake Louise generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -11°C (12°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -19°C (-2°F) and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
-6°C (21°F)
-11°C (12°F)
-10°C (14°F)
Min temperature
-15°C (5°F)
-19°C (-2°F)
-17°C (1°F)
Monthly sun hours
80 hours
45 hours
57 hours
Monthly snowfall
68 mm (2.7 in)
51 mm (2 in)
55 mm (2.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
14 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Castle Junction

In December Castle Junction generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -11°C (12°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -19°C (-2°F) and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
-6°C (21°F)
-11°C (12°F)
-10°C (14°F)
Min temperature
-15°C (5°F)
-19°C (-2°F)
-18°C (0°F)
Monthly sun hours
80 hours
45 hours
57 hours
Monthly snowfall
58 mm (2.3 in)
43 mm (1.7 in)
45 mm (1.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
12 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Banff National Park, 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 Banff National Park in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
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)
Castle Junction -11°C (12°F) -19°C (-2°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)

Banff National Park weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Banff National Park, Canada in December?

Banff National Park, Canada typically experiences poor weather in December, part of the winter season. Daytime highs in Banff average around -10°C (14°F), and temperatures drop to about -18°C (0°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in Banff National Park, Canada in December?

In Banff, the average daytime high in December is -10°C (14°F), while nighttime temperatures drop to around -18°C (0°F).

Does Banff National Park, Canada get a lot of snow in December?

Not particularly. Banff averages just 35 mm (1.4 in) of snow in December, making it a mostly dry month for Banff National Park, Canada.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Banff National Park, Canada?

Given the typically poor weather conditions in Banff, December may not be the ideal time to visit Banff National Park, Canada.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in July and August offering mostly pleasant weather in Banff. The weather in January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November and December, on the other hand, tends to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Banff National Park.

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.