What December feels like in Salt Lake City
For Salt Lake City, December is early winter on the calendar. Midday brings little warmth — expect coat-and-scarf weather from morning to evening. After dark the temperature drops clearly: nights drop well below freezing. The air is damp, which makes cool temperatures feel colder, particularly in wind.
Rain in Salt Lake City in December
Showers are a regular feature, arriving about one day in 3. Wet days average about 6 mm (0.2 in), enough to soak you without an umbrella. That is close to Salt Lake City's typical rain per wet day for the whole year (about 6 mm). It is among the three wettest months of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in December
On 15 December the sun rises at about 7:44 am and sets around 5:01 pm local time, giving 9 h 17 min of daylight. Days are getting shorter: 40 min less daylight than in mid-November. About 73% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, there are plenty of bright spells.
How December compares to the rest of the year
December is the 2nd coolest month of the year in Salt Lake City. Compared with November, afternoons are 6.8°C (12.2°F) cooler, with 17 mm more rain. The cooling trend carries on into January. By January, typical highs are 2.1°C (35.8°F).
Who December suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — it is cold for long walks.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Hiking: less ideal — trails are cool.
- Museums & indoor: a good choice — warm places to spend the coldest part of the day.
Tips for visiting Salt Lake City in December
Versatile Layers
Mornings and evenings are cooler than midday, so dress in layers.
Rain Protection
A compact umbrella and a light waterproof jacket.
Warm Layers
A warm jacket, a hat and gloves for cold mornings and evenings.
Quick questions
How warm is Salt Lake City in December?
It feels cold: typical highs are 3°C (37.4°F), with lows near -5.8°C (21.6°F).
Does it rain a lot in Salt Lake City in December?
Quite a lot — 60 mm spread over about 10 days.
What should I wear in Salt Lake City in December?
Pack versatile layers, rain protection and warm layers. Add a layer for after dark.
Is December or January better for visiting Salt Lake City?
January, narrowly: it ranks #11 of 12 among Salt Lake City's months, against #12 for the other.