Leavenworth

Washington State Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Washington State, the United States of America in December.

Are you planning a trip a to Washington State, the United States of America in December and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.

What to Expect in Washington State in December

Washington State, the United States of America is a region in the United States of America. The weather in Washington State in December can be quite varied, with temperatures that range from very cold to cold and precipitation levels ranging from low to heavy. The month of December is in the winter season.

Temperatures

During the day the temperature is very cold in Mount Rainier National Park at -6°C (21°F) and cold in Ilwaco at 9°C (48°F). As night falls, temperatures generally drop to 3°C (37°F) in Ilwaco and -13°C (9°F) in Mount Rainier National Park . 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 Washington State, the United States of America in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From low snow/rainfall in Richland with an average of 29 mm (1.1 in) to heavy snow/rainfall in Mount Rainier National Park with 532 mm (21 in).

Average sunshine

Many places experience limited sunshine during this period. Seattle receives around 54 hours of sunlight. If you prefer more sunny conditions, our weather planner can help you explore other destinations.

Explore Washington State by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Washington State — and find the best time to visit. (based on Seattle)

Best Places to Visit in Washington State in December

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

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 Washington State

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in Washington State, the United States of America?

Temperature range in Washington State (December)

Precipitation variation in Washington State (December)

Seattle

In December Seattle generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C (46°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C (36°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
8°C (46°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
4°C (39°F)
2°C (36°F)
2°C (36°F)
Monthly sun hours
73 hours
54 hours
70 hours
Monthly rainfall
166 mm (6.5 in)
143 mm (5.6 in)
141 mm (5.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
20 days
20 days
19 days
Weather conditions

SeaTac

In December SeaTac generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C (46°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C (36°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
8°C (46°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
4°C (39°F)
2°C (36°F)
2°C (36°F)
Monthly sun hours
73 hours
54 hours
70 hours
Monthly rainfall
165 mm (6.5 in)
142 mm (5.6 in)
141 mm (5.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
20 days
20 days
19 days
Weather conditions

Ocean Shores

In December Ocean Shores generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C (46°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 4°C (39°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
8°C (46°F)
9°C (48°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
4°C (39°F)
4°C (39°F)
Monthly rainfall
327 mm (13 in)
287 mm (11 in)
305 mm (12 in)
Monthly rainy days
24 days
24 days
23 days
Weather conditions

Bellevue

In December Bellevue generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 7°C (45°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C (36°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
7°C (45°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
4°C (39°F)
2°C (36°F)
2°C (36°F)
Monthly sun hours
73 hours
54 hours
70 hours
Monthly rainfall
176 mm (6.9 in)
159 mm (6.3 in)
147 mm (5.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
21 days
20 days
20 days
Weather conditions

Vancouver

In December Vancouver generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 7°C (45°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 1°C (34°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
7°C (45°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
4°C (39°F)
1°C (34°F)
2°C (36°F)
Monthly sun hours
79 hours
64 hours
86 hours
Monthly rainfall
171 mm (6.7 in)
188 mm (7.4 in)
146 mm (5.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
21 days
22 days
19 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Washington State, in the United States of America.

Popular cities in December

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

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Seattle 8°C (46°F) 2°C (36°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
SeaTac 8°C (46°F) 2°C (36°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Ocean Shores 8°C (46°F) 4°C (39°F) 287 mm (11 in)
Bellevue 7°C (45°F) 2°C (36°F) 159 mm (6.3 in)
Vancouver 7°C (45°F) 1°C (34°F) 188 mm (7.4 in)
Leavenworth 1°C (34°F) -5°C (23°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)

Washington State weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Washington State, the United States of America in December?

Washington State, the United States of America typically experiences poor weather in December, part of the winter season. Daytime highs in Seattle average around 8°C (46°F), and temperatures drop to about 2°C (36°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in Washington State, the United States of America in December?

Seattle averages a daytime maximum of 8°C (46°F) in December, with overnight lows close to 2°C (36°F).

Does Washington State, the United States of America get a lot of rain in December?

Washington State, the United States of America sees substantial rainfall in December. Seattle typically averages about 143 mm (5.6 in), a mix of wet and dry days, but bring an umbrella.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Washington State, the United States of America?

In our view, December might not be the best time to travel to Washington State, the United States of America with often poor weather in Seattle.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in June, July, August and September offering mostly perfect weather in Seattle. In contrast, January, February, March, November and December tend to have poor weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Washington State.

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 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.