What December feels like in Denver
For Denver, December is early winter on the calendar. Daytime temperatures stay cold, and a warm coat is needed even in the middle of the day. Temperatures fall sharply after dark — a swing of roughly 13.9°C (25°F) — and nights drop well below freezing. The air is damp, which makes cool temperatures feel colder, particularly in wind.
Rain in Denver in December
Wet days are occasional rather than regular, about one day in 6. Each rainy day adds about 4.7 mm (0.2 in), a proper wetting rather than a sprinkle. Across the year Denver averages about 5.7 mm per rainy day, so December is typical. It is among the three driest months of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in December
Mid-month, Denver gets 9 h 23 min of daylight, from sunrise near 7:14 am to sunset near 4:36 pm. Compared with mid-November, the day has lost 39 min. About 83% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, skies are mostly clear.
How December compares to the rest of the year
December is the 2nd coolest month of the year in Denver. Compared with November, afternoons are 5.8°C (10.4°F) cooler, with 2 mm more rain. January is cooler again. By January, typical highs are 4.5°C (40.1°F).
Who December suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — it is cold for long walks.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Hiking: less ideal — trails are cool.
Tips for visiting Denver in December
Versatile Layers
Days are noticeably warmer than nights — layers you can add or remove.
Warm Layers
A proper winter coat, with gloves and a hat for early starts.
Sunglasses
Bright days make sunglasses worth packing.
Quick questions
How warm is Denver in December?
Expect around 5.6°C (42.1°F) in the afternoon and -8.3°C (17.1°F) at night, which most visitors would call cold.
Does it rain a lot in Denver in December?
Not especially. There are about 5 rainy days (24 mm), mostly moderate rain.
What should I wear in Denver in December?
Based on the averages: versatile layers, warm layers and sunglasses. Add a layer for after dark.
Is December or January better for visiting Denver?
December scores better on our climate ranking (#9 of 12 vs #12), rated Fair against Fair. January is cooler.