December is one of the cooler months of the year in Champaign, with average highs near 3.4°C and lows around -5.2°C (mean -0.9°C). It is one of the drier months, averaging 68 mm of rainfall and 85% relative humidity across the period.
December is one of the cooler months of the year in Champaign. Across 45 years of records, the warmest December in Champaign was 2015 — when the month averaged 4.6°C — while the coldest was 1983 at -9.1°C. Typical December days reach 3.4°C with nights near -5.2°C. The long-term trend is warming, about 0.9°C per decade.
December is one of the drier months in Champaign, averaging 68 mm of rainfall. The wettest December on record was 2015 with 196 mm, while the driest was 2017 at 13 mm.
Relative humidity in Champaign during December averages 85%. The most humid December was 1983 at 91%, and the least humid was 2017 at 74%.
December receives about 1.5 kWh/m²/day of solar energy in Champaign. The sunniest Decembers were 2004, 2017 and 2020, among others at 1.8 kWh/m²/day, and the cloudiest were 2014, 2015 and 2022, among others at 1.3.
Average wind speed in Champaign during December is 3.6 m/s. The windiest December was 2008 at 4.8 m/s, while the calmest were 1986 and 1994 at 2.9 m/s.
Ranked against the other 11 months using 1981–2025 averages.
| Metric | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | -3.1°C | -0.6°C | -1.5°C | 0.1°C | 1.1°C | +4.2°C |
| Avg High | 1.3°C | 3.6°C | 2.7°C | 4.4°C | 5.6°C | +4.3°C |
| Avg Low | -7.5°C | -4.8°C | -5.6°C | -4.0°C | -3.4°C | +4.1°C |
| Avg Rain | 82 mm | 58 mm | 73 mm | 67 mm | 59 mm | -23 mm |
December temperatures in Champaign have risen by about 4.6°C between 1981–1985 and 2021–2025.
December has ranged from a record low of -31.8°C (1983) to a record high of 21.4°C (1998).
Rainfall in December is one of the drier months, averaging 68 mm, with a wettest year of 196 mm.
A quieter season to visit Champaign
If your dates are flexible, the more temperate months of June and August tend to be the most comfortable for visiting Champaign. That said, December — with days averaging 3.4°C and nights around -5.2°C (mean -0.9°C) and moderate rainfall (68 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 | 3.0°C | -2.2°C | -7.3°C | 20.7°C | -23.8°C | 48 mm | 83% | 3.7 m/s | — |
| 2024 | 5.0°C | 0.7°C | -3.5°C | 15.3°C | -11.5°C | 67 mm | 83% | 3.6 m/s | 1.5 |
| 2023 | 7.6°C | 3.5°C | -0.6°C | 16.1°C | -6.8°C | 70 mm | 80% | 3.2 m/s | 1.4 |
| 2022 | 3.8°C | -0.4°C | -4.7°C | 14.2°C | -20.5°C | 59 mm | 80% | 3.9 m/s | 1.3 |
| 2021 | 9.5°C | 4.3°C | -0.9°C | 18.1°C | -7.7°C | 70 mm | 82% | 3.7 m/s | 1.6 |
| 2020 | 4.9°C | 0.6°C | -3.7°C | 14.3°C | -12.5°C | 39 mm | 80% | 3.3 m/s | 1.8 |
| 2019 | 6.2°C | 1.7°C | -2.8°C | 17.2°C | -10.6°C | 38 mm | 87% | 3.5 m/s | 1.7 |
| 2018 | 5.8°C | 1.3°C | -3.2°C | 14.8°C | -9.5°C | 97 mm | 86% | 3.3 m/s | 1.6 |
| 2017 | 3.0°C | -1.3°C | -5.5°C | 17.6°C | -19.4°C | 13 mm | 74% | 3.8 m/s | 1.8 |
| 2016 | 1.9°C | -2.2°C | -6.3°C | 16.1°C | -19.1°C | 29 mm | 79% | 3.6 m/s | 1.6 |
| 2015 🔥 🌧️ | 8.8°C | 4.6°C | 0.5°C | 20.1°C | -7.1°C | 196 mm | 87% | 4 m/s | 1.3 |
| 2014 | 3.7°C | 0.3°C | -3.2°C | 10.8°C | -13.6°C | 44 mm | 86% | 3 m/s | 1.3 |
| 2013 | 1.7°C | -2.8°C | -7.3°C | 17.6°C | -18.0°C | 56 mm | 82% | 3.6 m/s | 1.4 |
| 2012 | 7.0°C | 2.8°C | -1.4°C | 20.7°C | -10.2°C | 62 mm | 85% | 3.8 m/s | 1.4 |
| 2011 | 6.0°C | 1.7°C | -2.5°C | 13.6°C | -7.7°C | 80 mm | 86% | 3.3 m/s | 1.5 |
| 2010 | -0.6°C | -4.7°C | -8.8°C | 14.8°C | -17.8°C | 53 mm | 89% | 3.4 m/s | 1.6 |
| 2009 | 2.0°C | -1.8°C | -5.6°C | 11.9°C | -15.4°C | 101 mm | 87% | 4 m/s | 1.3 |
| 2008 | 1.3°C | -3.4°C | -8.0°C | 19.0°C | -19.7°C | 127 mm | 83% | 4.8 m/s | 1.6 |
| 2007 | 3.2°C | -0.6°C | -4.3°C | 15.8°C | -10.3°C | 91 mm | 87% | 3.4 m/s | 1.3 |
| 2006 | 6.0°C | 0.9°C | -4.1°C | 15.5°C | -21.6°C | 103 mm | 88% | 3.6 m/s | 1.7 |
| 2005 | 0.9°C | -3.1°C | -7.1°C | 10.2°C | -16.0°C | 39 mm | 87% | 3.3 m/s | 1.5 |
| 2004 | 4.0°C | -0.3°C | -4.6°C | 17.6°C | -15.3°C | 43 mm | 84% | 4 m/s | 1.8 |
| 2003 | 4.0°C | 0.1°C | -3.8°C | 12.3°C | -12.4°C | 69 mm | 84% | 3.7 m/s | 1.7 |
| 2002 | 4.1°C | 0.3°C | -3.6°C | 13.1°C | -11.4°C | 51 mm | 80% | 3.8 m/s | 1.7 |
| 2001 | 5.8°C | 1.7°C | -2.4°C | 19.8°C | -12.7°C | 63 mm | 84% | 3.5 m/s | 1.8 |
| 2000 | -4.0°C | -8.4°C | -12.8°C | 5.8°C | -23.1°C | 47 mm | 90% | 3.3 m/s | 1.8 |
| 1999 | 5.2°C | 0.4°C | -4.5°C | 19.2°C | -12.7°C | 59 mm | 78% | 3.6 m/s | 1.4 |
| 1998 | 6.6°C | 1.7°C | -3.3°C | 21.4°C | -15.5°C | 32 mm | 77% | 3.1 m/s | 1.7 |
| 1997 | 2.9°C | -0.5°C | -4.0°C | 8.7°C | -12.2°C | 41 mm | 87% | 3.1 m/s | 1.7 |
| 1996 | 3.1°C | -0.8°C | -4.6°C | 14.4°C | -12.8°C | 38 mm | 84% | 3.6 m/s | 1.3 |
| 1995 | 1.3°C | -3.3°C | -7.9°C | 15.0°C | -17.4°C | 40 mm | 82% | 3.5 m/s | 1.6 |
| 1994 | 6.1°C | 1.8°C | -2.4°C | 14.9°C | -9.2°C | 46 mm | 87% | 2.9 m/s | 1.4 |
| 1993 | 1.9°C | -1.4°C | -4.7°C | 9.8°C | -17.0°C | 41 mm | 89% | 3.6 m/s | 1.3 |
| 1992 | 2.3°C | -1.4°C | -5.1°C | 11.3°C | -16.1°C | 60 mm | 87% | 3.5 m/s | 1.3 |
| 1991 | 3.9°C | -0.2°C | -4.2°C | 16.7°C | -14.4°C | 48 mm | 86% | 3.6 m/s | 1.7 |
| 1990 | 2.2°C | -2.5°C | -7.3°C | 12.8°C | -24.8°C | 176 mm | 88% | 3.7 m/s | 1.5 |
| 1989 | -3.4°C | -7.7°C | -11.9°C | 9.1°C | -28.0°C | 21 mm | 80% | 3.5 m/s | 1.7 |
| 1988 | 3.3°C | -1.6°C | -6.4°C | 15.8°C | -15.0°C | 73 mm | 80% | 3.9 m/s | 1.7 |
| 1987 | 3.5°C | -0.5°C | -4.6°C | 13.8°C | -14.8°C | 134 mm | 87% | 4.1 m/s | 1.3 |
| 1986 | 2.8°C | -0.8°C | -4.4°C | 9.7°C | -14.8°C | 29 mm | 88% | 2.9 m/s | 1.4 |
| 1985 | -3.1°C | -8.7°C | -14.3°C | 7.3°C | -27.8°C | 64 mm | 90% | 3.9 m/s | 1.7 |
| 1984 | 6.1°C | 1.5°C | -3.0°C | 18.4°C | -13.1°C | 103 mm | 86% | 4 m/s | 1.3 |
| 1983 ❄️ | -5.1°C | -9.1°C | -13.2°C | 5.5°C | -31.8°C | 115 mm | 91% | 3.6 m/s | — |
| 1982 | 7.0°C | 2.8°C | -1.4°C | 19.2°C | -14.6°C | 138 mm | 87% | 4.1 m/s | — |
| 1981 | 0.7°C | -3.6°C | -7.9°C | 7.7°C | -17.4°C | 58 mm | 86% | 3.4 m/s | — |
Actual recorded December data for each year, 1981–2025 — sourced from NASA POWER.
The average high in December is around 3.4°C with lows near -5.2°C (mean -0.9°C), based on 45 years of NASA POWER data.
December averages 68 mm of rainfall in Champaign, one of the drier months. The wettest on record was 196 mm in 2015.
The hottest December reached 21.4°C in 1998. The coldest dipped to -31.8°C in 1983.
Comparing the earliest years on record (1981–1985) with the most recent (2021–2025), average December temperatures have risen by about 4.6°C. Daytime highs moved from 1.1°C to 5.8°C and overnight lows from -8°C to -3.4°C over the same span.
December is one of the cooler months of the year in Champaign and one of the drier months, so plan for around 3.4°C daytime highs and -5.2°C at night.
Not quite — December is the 3rd coolest month in Champaign, averaging -0.9°C.
For December in Champaign, pack warm layers and a jacket for chilly mornings, with typical highs of 3.4°C and lows of -5.2°C. Bring an umbrella or light rain jacket too.
Relative humidity in December averages 85% — quite humid.
Average wind speed in December is 3.6 m/s. The windiest December on record averaged 4.8 m/s (2008).
The wettest December on record was 2015 with 196 mm. On average, December sees 68 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 Champaign 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.
