What December feels like in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, December is early winter on the calendar. Midday brings little warmth — expect coat-and-scarf weather from morning to evening. The gap between afternoon and night is small, so nights hover around freezing, so frost is common and the temperature hardly changes after dark. Moisture in the air gives the cold a damp edge.
Rain in Philadelphia in December
Showers are a regular feature, arriving about one day in 3. When rain comes it is heavy, about 10.8 mm (0.4 in) per wet day, often in short, strong bursts. The yearly figure is similar, around 9.7 mm per wet day. It is among the three wettest months of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in December
Mid-month, Philadelphia gets 9 h 22 min of daylight, from sunrise near 7:15 am to sunset near 4:37 pm. Compared with mid-November, the day has lost 39 min. The sun is out for roughly 63% of those daylight hours, so there are plenty of bright spells.
How December compares to the rest of the year
December is the 3rd coolest month of the year in Philadelphia. Compared with November, afternoons are 5.1°C (9.2°F) cooler, with 31 mm more rain. January is cooler again. By January, typical highs are 4.9°C (40.8°F).
Who December suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — it is cold for long walks.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
Tips for visiting Philadelphia in December
Rain Protection
Keep a small umbrella in your bag and wear shoes that cope with puddles.
Warm Layers
Insulated layers and warm shoes for the cold hours.
Quick questions
How warm is Philadelphia in December?
Expect around 7.4°C (45.3°F) in the afternoon and 0°C (32°F) at night, which most visitors would call cold.
Does it rain a lot in Philadelphia in December?
It does: about 10 rainy days bring roughly 108 mm, so plan some indoor options.
What should I wear in Philadelphia in December?
Based on the averages: rain protection and warm layers. There is little need to change for the evening.
Is December or January better for visiting Philadelphia?
December scores better on our climate ranking (#10 of 12 vs #12), rated Fair against Poor. January is cooler and has fewer rainy days.