December is one of the cooler months of the year in High River, with average highs near -2.6°C and lows around -10.7°C (mean -6.6°C). It is one of the drier months, averaging 20 mm of rainfall and 80% relative humidity across the period.
December is one of the cooler months of the year in High River. Across 45 years of records, the warmest December in High River was 1999 — when the month averaged -0.7°C — while the coldest was 1983 at -16.2°C. Typical December days reach -2.6°C with nights near -10.7°C. The long-term trend is warming, about 0.3°C per decade.
December is one of the drier months in High River, averaging 20 mm of rainfall. The wettest Decembers on record were 2017 and 2025 with 46 mm, while the driest was 1986 at 3 mm.
Relative humidity in High River during December averages 80%. The most humid December was 1996 at 91%, and the least humid was 1997 at 65%.
December receives about 1 kWh/m²/day of solar energy in High River. The sunniest December was 2010 at 1.2 kWh/m²/day, and the cloudiest were 1989, 2004 and 2016 at 0.8.
Average wind speed in High River during December is 1.7 m/s. The windiest Decembers were 1990 and 2011 at 2.1 m/s, while the calmest was 2010 at 1.3 m/s.
Ranked against the other 11 months using 1981–2025 averages.
| Metric | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | -7.3°C | -6.6°C | -6.3°C | -6.8°C | -5.9°C | +1.4°C |
| Avg High | -3.3°C | -2.5°C | -2.2°C | -2.7°C | -1.9°C | +1.4°C |
| Avg Low | -11.3°C | -10.7°C | -10.5°C | -10.9°C | -10.0°C | +1.3°C |
| Avg Rain | 16 mm | 16 mm | 16 mm | 23 mm | 34 mm | +18 mm |
December temperatures in High River have risen by about 3.1°C between 1981–1985 and 2021–2025.
December has ranged from a record low of -36.5°C (1983) to a record high of 10.8°C (2002).
Rainfall in December is one of the drier months, averaging 20 mm, with a wettest year of 46 mm.
A quieter season to visit High River
If your dates are flexible, the more temperate months of July and August tend to be the most comfortable for visiting High River. That said, December — with days averaging -2.6°C and nights around -10.7°C (mean -6.6°C) and low rainfall (20 mm) — can still be rewarding for travellers who don't mind the cooler conditions, and often means fewer crowds.
| Year | Avg High | Avg Temp | Avg Low | Hottest Day | Coldest Day | Rainfall | Humidity | Wind | Solar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | -0.9°C | -5.3°C | -9.6°C | 6.7°C | -24.1°C | 46 mm | 88% | 1.9 m/s | — |
| 2024 | -0.2°C | -3.7°C | -7.1°C | 3.5°C | -16.3°C | 23 mm | 87% | 1.5 m/s | 1 |
| 2023 | 2.4°C | -1.3°C | -5.0°C | 9.6°C | -11.7°C | 32 mm | 82% | 1.6 m/s | 0.9 |
| 2022 | -7.0°C | -11.4°C | -15.9°C | 3.2°C | -34.2°C | 33 mm | 90% | 1.6 m/s | 1.1 |
| 2021 | -6.3°C | -10.6°C | -15.0°C | 8.6°C | -33.5°C | 31 mm | 78% | 1.6 m/s | 0.9 |
| 2020 | 0.6°C | -3.4°C | -7.5°C | 8.0°C | -16.4°C | 36 mm | 81% | 1.8 m/s | 1 |
| 2019 | -1.1°C | -5.0°C | -8.9°C | 3.5°C | -14.4°C | 18 mm | 88% | 1.5 m/s | 1.1 |
| 2018 | -0.2°C | -4.2°C | -8.1°C | 4.8°C | -18.0°C | 16 mm | 77% | 1.7 m/s | 0.9 |
| 2017 🌧️ | -3.7°C | -7.7°C | -11.7°C | 7.2°C | -31.7°C | 46 mm | 75% | 1.7 m/s | 0.9 |
| 2016 | -8.1°C | -11.6°C | -15.1°C | 2.7°C | -26.4°C | 33 mm | 83% | 2 m/s | 0.8 |
| 2015 | -1.3°C | -5.4°C | -9.6°C | 5.4°C | -19.7°C | 22 mm | 82% | 1.5 m/s | 0.9 |
| 2014 | -0.7°C | -4.7°C | -8.7°C | 4.5°C | -22.0°C | 13 mm | 83% | 1.7 m/s | 1 |
| 2013 | -4.8°C | -9.4°C | -14.0°C | 4.5°C | -27.5°C | 27 mm | 84% | 1.8 m/s | 1 |
| 2012 | -4.4°C | -8.4°C | -12.5°C | 3.6°C | -23.1°C | 20 mm | 85% | 1.6 m/s | 1 |
| 2011 | 0.3°C | -3.8°C | -7.8°C | 4.9°C | -14.7°C | 18 mm | 76% | 2.1 m/s | 0.9 |
| 2010 | -3.5°C | -7.9°C | -12.3°C | 2.5°C | -24.5°C | 13 mm | 87% | 1.3 m/s | 1.2 |
| 2009 | -6.8°C | -11.1°C | -15.3°C | 2.5°C | -26.5°C | 20 mm | 78% | 1.7 m/s | 1 |
| 2008 | -7.5°C | -11.8°C | -16.1°C | 7.5°C | -31.2°C | 35 mm | 85% | 1.7 m/s | 0.9 |
| 2007 | -3.2°C | -7.5°C | -11.8°C | 1.2°C | -19.7°C | 15 mm | 81% | 1.6 m/s | 0.9 |
| 2006 | 0.7°C | -3.1°C | -7.0°C | 4.7°C | -14.6°C | 9 mm | 74% | 1.9 m/s | 0.9 |
| 2005 | -1.2°C | -4.8°C | -8.4°C | 7.7°C | -19.2°C | 10 mm | 80% | 1.7 m/s | 1 |
| 2004 | 0.2°C | -3.8°C | -7.8°C | 8.2°C | -21.3°C | 21 mm | 76% | 2 m/s | 0.8 |
| 2003 | 0.2°C | -3.9°C | -8.1°C | 5.4°C | -15.6°C | 5 mm | 76% | 1.6 m/s | 1.1 |
| 2002 | 1.6°C | -2.6°C | -6.9°C | 10.8°C | -13.8°C | 16 mm | 77% | 1.5 m/s | 1.1 |
| 2001 | -2.0°C | -6.6°C | -11.1°C | 3.0°C | -17.8°C | 7 mm | 80% | 1.6 m/s | 1 |
| 2000 | -4.1°C | -8.2°C | -12.3°C | 7.5°C | -25.4°C | 18 mm | 79% | 1.6 m/s | 1 |
| 1999 🔥 | 3.1°C | -0.7°C | -4.6°C | 10.5°C | -12.0°C | 12 mm | 69% | 2 m/s | 1 |
| 1998 | -3.3°C | -7.4°C | -11.5°C | 7.4°C | -25.1°C | 22 mm | 76% | 1.9 m/s | 1 |
| 1997 | 1.7°C | -2.1°C | -5.9°C | 5.8°C | -12.8°C | 6 mm | 65% | 1.9 m/s | 1 |
| 1996 | -9.2°C | -13.6°C | -17.9°C | 0.5°C | -32.8°C | 29 mm | 91% | 1.6 m/s | 0.9 |
| 1995 | -3.2°C | -7.5°C | -11.8°C | 1.8°C | -26.9°C | 24 mm | 82% | 1.5 m/s | 0.9 |
| 1994 | -1.7°C | -5.7°C | -9.8°C | 5.1°C | -21.6°C | 11 mm | 78% | 1.6 m/s | 1 |
| 1993 | 0.6°C | -3.2°C | -7.0°C | 6.6°C | -14.1°C | 11 mm | 79% | 1.7 m/s | 1 |
| 1992 | -7.0°C | -11.7°C | -16.3°C | 1.3°C | -34.9°C | 23 mm | 81% | 1.7 m/s | 1 |
| 1991 | 1.2°C | -2.6°C | -6.5°C | 4.4°C | -12.0°C | 5 mm | 72% | 1.8 m/s | 1.1 |
| 1990 | -6.9°C | -11.5°C | -16.1°C | 5.1°C | -34.6°C | 20 mm | 79% | 2.1 m/s | 0.9 |
| 1989 | -1.6°C | -5.2°C | -8.9°C | 5.9°C | -30.9°C | 26 mm | 79% | 1.8 m/s | 0.8 |
| 1988 | -1.3°C | -5.5°C | -9.7°C | 7.1°C | -20.8°C | 15 mm | 74% | 1.6 m/s | 0.9 |
| 1987 | 0.0°C | -3.7°C | -7.3°C | 7.7°C | -18.2°C | 12 mm | 69% | 1.9 m/s | 1 |
| 1986 | 0.8°C | -3.4°C | -7.5°C | 3.7°C | -13.5°C | 3 mm | 72% | 1.8 m/s | 1 |
| 1985 | -1.1°C | -4.9°C | -8.6°C | 5.9°C | -27.0°C | 9 mm | 80% | 1.8 m/s | 1 |
| 1984 | -9.3°C | -13.7°C | -18.1°C | 2.2°C | -32.2°C | 22 mm | 84% | 1.7 m/s | 1 |
| 1983 ❄️ | -11.8°C | -16.2°C | -20.6°C | -2.0°C | -36.5°C | 23 mm | 87% | 1.5 m/s | — |
| 1982 | -2.6°C | -6.6°C | -10.5°C | 4.0°C | -18.5°C | 23 mm | 85% | 1.6 m/s | — |
| 1981 | -2.7°C | -6.7°C | -10.8°C | 4.8°C | -22.7°C | 8 mm | 75% | 1.7 m/s | — |
Actual recorded December data for each year, 1981–2025 — sourced from NASA POWER.
The average high in December is around -2.6°C with lows near -10.7°C (mean -6.6°C), based on 45 years of NASA POWER data.
December averages 20 mm of rainfall in High River, one of the drier months. The wettest on record was 46 mm in 2017.
The hottest December reached 10.8°C in 2002. The coldest dipped to -36.5°C in 1983.
Comparing the earliest years on record (1981–1985) with the most recent (2021–2025), average December temperatures have risen by about 3.1°C. Daytime highs moved from -5.5°C to -2.4°C and overnight lows from -13.7°C to -10.5°C over the same span.
December is one of the cooler months of the year in High River and one of the drier months, so plan for around -2.6°C daytime highs and -10.7°C at night.
Yes — December is the coldest month of the year in High River, averaging -6.6°C.
For December in High River, pack warm layers and a jacket for chilly mornings, with typical highs of -2.6°C and lows of -10.7°C.
Relative humidity in December averages 80% — quite humid.
Average wind speed in December is 1.7 m/s. The windiest December on record averaged 2.1 m/s (1990).
The wettest December on record was 2017 with 46 mm. On average, December sees 20 mm.
All figures are derived from NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources), based on MERRA-2 satellite reanalysis, covering 1981–2025.
Explore how the weather in High River behaves each December, based on 45 years of NASA POWER climate data from 1981 to 2025. This page breaks down average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, wind and solar radiation for December specifically, along with year-by-year records and how the month has changed over the decades.
