Flagstaff, AZ weather in December
In December, Flagstaff sees highs around 43°F and lows around 17°F: chilly and snowy. There are about 7 days with rain or snow. Snowfall averages about 18.5 in. It is one of the coldest months in Flagstaff. Pack for snow.
- Normal high
- 43°F
- Normal low
- 17°F
- Wet days
- 7
- 1.9 in total
- Snowfall
- 18.5 in
- snow on the ground 14 days
How December changes from start to finish
| December 1 | December 31 | |
|---|---|---|
| Normal high | 46°F | 42°F |
| Normal low | 19°F | 17°F |
| Chance of a wet day | 19% | 22% |
| Sunrise / sunset | 7:16 am / 5:14 pm | 7:34 am / 5:24 pm |
| Daylight | 10.0 h | 9.8 h |
Chance of a wet day: average for the first and last 7 days of the month. Times are local clock time (Arizona time (no daylight saving)).
A typical December day
- 6 am19°Fdew point 12°F
- 9 am26°Fdew point 17°F
- Noon41°Fdew point 18°F
- 3 pm42°Fdew point 17°F
- 6 pm31°Fdew point 17°F
- 9 pm25°Fdew point 16°F
NOAA hourly normals (local standard time) from Grand Canyon NP Airport (59 mi away); average wind 6 mph.
What kind of days to expect
- Comfortable dayshigh 65-80°F (temperature only: no humidity station nearby)0 of 31
- Hot dayshigh 90°F or more0 of 31
- Wet daysat least 0.01 in of rain or melted snow7 of 31
- Notable rainat least 0.10 in4 of 31
- Freezing nightslow 32°F or below30 of 31
- Snow on the groundsnow depth 1 in or more14 of 31
Average days per December, counted from daily records for each year 1991-2020.
Rain and snow in December
Normal precipitation is 1.9 in; a dry December brings about 0.6 in and a wet one about 3.1 in (25th and 75th percentiles). About 1 day brings half an inch or more. Normal snowfall is 18.5 in, with about 4 days of an inch or more.
How December varies from year to year
- Warmest December, 1991-20202017: average high 51°F
- Coolest December2009: average high 37°F
- Wettest December1992: 6.8 in
- Driest December1999: no measurable precipitation
- Highest reading67°F (December 13, 2010)
- Lowest reading-13°F (December 31, 2010)
From the station's daily records with NOAA quality flags removed; most recent date shown when a reading repeats.
December compared with November and January
| November | December | January | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal high | 52°F | 43°F | 43°F |
| Normal low | 23°F | 17°F | 18°F |
| Wet days | 4 | 7 | 7 |
| Comfortable days | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Daylight | 10.3 h | 9.8 h | 10.1 h |
Highs change by -9°F from November and 0°F into January.
Nearby alternatives in December
- Warmer: Sedona, AZ24 mi · high 58°F · 4 wet days
- Drier: Gilbert, AZ128 mi · high 66°F · 4 wet days
- Cooler: Bryce Canyon City, UT173 mi · high 37°F · 6 wet days
How Flagstaff ranks in December
- Normal high260th warmest of 378 cities; 13th of 13 in Arizona
- Wet days99th driest of 378
What to pack for Flagstaff in December
- A warm jacket – lows near 17°F, highs near 43°F
- Layers – afternoons near 43°F but nights near 17°F
- Waterproof boots – snow on the ground on about 14 days
- A hat and gloves – about 30 freezing nights
Heating and cooling
December has 1087 heating degree days and 0 cooling degree days (base 65°F), 16% of the year's total heating and cooling demand.
Questions
How cold is Flagstaff in December?
The normal high is 43°F and the normal low is 17°F. From 1991 to 2020 the coldest December reading was -13°F (December 31, 2010).
Does it rain a lot in Flagstaff in December?
About 7 days in December have at least 0.01 in of precipitation, and the normal total is 1.9 in. The wettest December in 1991-2020 was in 1992 (6.8 in); the driest was in 1999, with no measurable precipitation.
Does it snow in Flagstaff in December?
Yes. Normal snowfall in December is 18.5 in, and snow covers the ground on about 14 days.
Is December a good time to visit Flagstaff?
December ranks 12th of 12 months on our comfort score for Flagstaff (36 out of 100). It has almost no comfortable days (judged by temperature only). The best months are May and September.
Where the numbers come from
- Temperature, rain, snowfall and frost dates: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (USW00003103), 3.8 mi SSW of the city center, 7,003 ft (103 ft higher than the city). NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Snow depth: Sunset Crater Nm (USC00028329), 13 mi NNE of the city center, 6,980 ft (80 ft higher than the city). NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Humidity and wind by hour: Grand Canyon NP Airport (USW00003195), 59 mi NNW of the city center, 6,606 ft (294 ft lower than the city). NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Not available for this location: cloud cover and daily humidity and wind (no station close enough or similar enough in elevation).