Naperville Weather in December (1981–2025)

📍 41.75°N, 88.16°W •
📊

December at a Glance in Naperville

(1981–2025)
Avg High
🔥
0.8°C
Avg Low
❄️
-7.1°C
Avg Temp
🌡️
-3.1°C
Avg Rain
🌧️
56 mm
Avg Humidity
💧
87%
Avg Wind
🌬️
3.8 m/s
Avg Solar
☀️
1.5
kWh/m²/day
vs Annual
📈
-12.4°C
temp difference
❄️Freezing afternoons🥶Freezing mornings☁️Cloudier skies🌦️Some rain💨Breezy💦Humid air

Naperville December Weather Overview

December is one of the cooler months of the year in Naperville, with average highs near 0.8°C and lows around -7.1°C (mean -3.1°C). It is one of the drier months, averaging 56 mm of rainfall and 87% relative humidity across the period.

Naperville December Temperature History (1981–2025)

Range

December is one of the cooler months of the year in Naperville. Across 45 years of records, the warmest December in Naperville was 2015 — when the month averaged 2.5°C — while the coldest was 1983 at -11.6°C. Typical December days reach 0.8°C with nights near -7.1°C. The long-term trend is warming, about 0.8°C per decade.

1981–1985 vs 2021–2025

Avg Temp-5.7°C→-1.5°C+4.2°C
Max Temp-1.3°C→2.7°C+4°C
Min Temp-10.1°C→-5.6°C+4.5°C

Trend (per decade)

Avg Temp+0.8°C/decade ↗
Max Temp+0.8°C/decade ↗
Min Temp+0.9°C/decade ↗

Distribution of Avg Temp

-12.0°C–-8.2°C4 yr (9%)
-8.2°C–-4.5°C8 yr (18%)
-4.5°C–-0.7°C23 yr (51%)
-0.7°C–3.0°C10 yr (22%)

Naperville December Rainfall History (1981–2025)

Range

December is one of the drier months in Naperville, averaging 56 mm of rainfall. The wettest December on record was 1982 with 148 mm, while the driest was 2017 at 11 mm.

Naperville December Humidity History (1981–2025)

Range

Relative humidity in Naperville during December averages 87%. The most humid December was 1983 at 95%, and the least humid was 2017 at 80%.

Naperville December Solar History (1981–2025)

Range

December receives about 1.5 kWh/m²/day of solar energy in Naperville. The sunniest December was 1985 at 1.8 kWh/m²/day, and the cloudiest were 2009, 2014 and 2022, among others at 1.2.

Naperville December Wind History (1981–2025)

Range

Average wind speed in Naperville during December is 3.8 m/s. The windiest December was 2008 at 4.6 m/s, while the calmest was 1994 at 2.9 m/s.

What December Feels Like in Naperville

🌅
Freezing
Morning
🌞
Freezing
Afternoon
🌆
Freezing
Evening
Rain chanceModerate
Outdoor comfort★★☆☆☆

How December Ranks in Naperville

🥶3rd coolest month of the year
🌵3rd driest month of the year
☀️12th sunniest month of the year

Ranked against the other 11 months using 1981–2025 averages.

Explore Naperville Weather by Month

Naperville December Averages by Decade

Metric1980s1990s2000s2010s2020sChange
Avg Temp-5.4°C-2.8°C-3.7°C-2.1°C-1.4°C+4°C
Avg High-1.2°C1.0°C0.3°C1.6°C2.6°C+3.8°C
Avg Low-9.6°C-6.6°C-7.7°C-5.8°C-5.5°C+4.1°C
Avg Rain64 mm45 mm61 mm53 mm57 mm-7 mm

Extreme December Records in Naperville

🔥Warmest December19.9°C2012
🧊Coldest December-35.4°C1983
🌧️Wettest December148 mm1982
🏜️Driest December11 mm2017
🌬️Windiest December4.6 m/s2008

Key Insights for December

✅

December temperatures in Naperville have risen by about 4.2°C between 1981–1985 and 2021–2025.

✅

December has ranged from a record low of -35.4°C (1983) to a record high of 19.9°C (2012).

✅

Rainfall in December is one of the drier months, averaging 56 mm, with a wettest year of 148 mm.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Naperville?

A quieter season to visit Naperville

If your dates are flexible, the more temperate months of August and July tend to be the most comfortable for visiting Naperville. That said, December — with days averaging 0.8°C and nights around -7.1°C (mean -3.1°C) and moderate rainfall (56 mm) — can still be rewarding for travellers who don't mind the cooler conditions, and often means fewer crowds.

See Naperville's complete weather history All 12 months side by side, 1981–2025 records, annual trends and long-term averages in one place. View full history →

Naperville Weather in December — In Depth

☀️ December climate overview

December is one of the cooler months of the year in Naperville, with average highs near 0.8°C and lows around -7.1°C (mean -3.1°C). It is one of the drier months, averaging 56 mm of rainfall and 87% relative humidity across the period.

🌧️ Rain, humidity & wind in December

December averages 56 mm of rainfall in Naperville, one of the drier months compared with the rest of the year. The wettest December on record saw 148 mm (1982), and the driest just 11 mm (2017). Humidity sits around 87% and average wind speed is 3.8 m/s, with solar radiation averaging 1.5 kWh/m²/day.

📈 How December has changed

Comparing the earliest years on record (1981–1985) with the most recent (2021–2025), average December temperatures have risen by about 4.2°C. Daytime highs moved from -1.3°C to 2.7°C and overnight lows from -10.1°C to -5.6°C over the same span.
December Weather in Naperville, Year by Year
🔥 warmest❄️ coldest🌧️ wettest
YearAvg HighAvg TempAvg LowHottest DayColdest DayRainfallHumidityWindSolar
2025-0.4°C-5.4°C-10.4°C12.2°C-23.9°C54 mm87%3.9 m/s—
20242.5°C-1.5°C-5.5°C10.9°C-16.0°C38 mm83%3.7 m/s1.4
20235.6°C2.0°C-1.5°C13.6°C-6.6°C72 mm86%3.2 m/s1.3
20220.4°C-3.6°C-7.6°C11.3°C-23.0°C60 mm85%4.2 m/s1.2
20215.5°C1.2°C-3.2°C17.4°C-10.5°C63 mm82%3.8 m/s1.6
20202.3°C-1.4°C-5.1°C11.1°C-12.1°C54 mm85%3.5 m/s1.7
20193.9°C0.0°C-3.9°C13.0°C-13.5°C41 mm89%3.8 m/s1.5
20182.8°C-0.7°C-4.1°C8.8°C-11.8°C74 mm89%3.2 m/s1.6
2017-0.4°C-4.1°C-7.7°C15.3°C-22.1°C11 mm80%3.9 m/s1.7
2016-1.5°C-5.4°C-9.4°C7.9°C-27.4°C37 mm88%4 m/s1.4
2015 🔥5.8°C2.5°C-0.8°C15.5°C-10.3°C132 mm90%4 m/s1.3
20141.7°C-1.3°C-4.4°C7.8°C-17.3°C21 mm86%3.3 m/s1.2
2013-2.3°C-6.5°C-10.6°C11.8°C-20.5°C38 mm88%3.6 m/s1.3
20124.6°C0.6°C-3.4°C19.9°C-12.8°C58 mm86%3.7 m/s1.3
20113.9°C0.2°C-3.4°C10.7°C-13.3°C62 mm86%3.5 m/s1.5
2010-2.2°C-6.3°C-10.4°C10.6°C-20.9°C54 mm91%3.7 m/s1.5
2009-1.0°C-4.7°C-8.4°C11.3°C-19.3°C85 mm92%3.8 m/s1.2
2008-2.1°C-7.1°C-12.1°C15.2°C-24.4°C131 mm90%4.6 m/s1.5
2007-0.3°C-4.2°C-8.0°C5.8°C-17.0°C91 mm92%3.5 m/s1.2
20063.4°C-1.1°C-5.6°C13.0°C-23.5°C76 mm91%3.8 m/s1.5
2005-1.7°C-5.2°C-8.6°C5.9°C-18.8°C30 mm89%3.5 m/s1.4
20041.5°C-2.4°C-6.2°C11.5°C-20.0°C30 mm84%4.3 m/s1.7
20032.6°C-1.1°C-4.8°C10.1°C-13.3°C55 mm85%3.9 m/s1.5
20022.3°C-1.4°C-5.1°C11.0°C-12.3°C28 mm82%3.9 m/s1.6
20014.0°C0.1°C-3.8°C19.5°C-14.7°C30 mm86%3.8 m/s1.7
2000-5.4°C-9.7°C-14.1°C3.1°C-23.6°C52 mm92%3.5 m/s1.6
19992.3°C-2.1°C-6.5°C13.8°C-17.8°C61 mm83%3.6 m/s1.4
19984.4°C-0.1°C-4.5°C19.0°C-18.2°C31 mm82%3.6 m/s1.6
19971.0°C-2.0°C-5.1°C5.8°C-15.0°C39 mm89%3.3 m/s1.7
1996-0.3°C-3.7°C-7.1°C4.9°C-18.0°C45 mm88%3.6 m/s1.3
1995-1.1°C-4.9°C-8.7°C7.5°C-18.2°C18 mm85%3.9 m/s1.6
19942.2°C-1.5°C-5.3°C13.1°C-18.6°C42 mm92%2.9 m/s1.3
1993-0.1°C-3.2°C-6.2°C7.8°C-19.3°C32 mm87%3.7 m/s1.3
19920.0°C-3.9°C-7.7°C6.2°C-20.1°C75 mm89%3.8 m/s1.4
19911.6°C-2.5°C-6.6°C14.8°C-17.1°C41 mm89%3.8 m/s1.5
1990-0.3°C-4.5°C-8.8°C8.2°C-24.2°C61 mm88%4.1 m/s1.4
1989-5.2°C-9.4°C-13.6°C6.5°C-26.9°C14 mm81%3.8 m/s1.6
19880.3°C-4.2°C-8.6°C9.3°C-21.2°C49 mm84%4.2 m/s1.6
19870.4°C-3.5°C-7.5°C6.3°C-18.6°C113 mm91%4 m/s1.3
19860.5°C-2.8°C-6.1°C5.5°C-18.2°C25 mm90%3.4 m/s1.3
1985-5.9°C-11.2°C-16.5°C3.1°C-27.5°C42 mm93%4.3 m/s1.8
19842.7°C-1.5°C-5.7°C15.5°C-18.3°C89 mm87%4.3 m/s1.2
1983 ❄️-7.2°C-11.6°C-16.1°C4.1°C-35.4°C72 mm95%3.9 m/s—
1982 🌧️4.5°C0.3°C-3.8°C18.2°C-14.0°C148 mm89%4.2 m/s—
1981-0.8°C-4.5°C-8.3°C5.7°C-16.5°C23 mm88%3.6 m/s—

Actual recorded December data for each year, 1981–2025 — sourced from NASA POWER.

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Naperville December Weather — FAQ

What is the average temperature in Naperville in December?▼

The average high in December is around 0.8°C with lows near -7.1°C (mean -3.1°C), based on 45 years of NASA POWER data.

Does it rain a lot in Naperville in December?▼

December averages 56 mm of rainfall in Naperville, one of the drier months. The wettest on record was 148 mm in 1982.

What was the hottest December on record in Naperville?▼

The hottest December reached 19.9°C in 2012. The coldest dipped to -35.4°C in 1983.

Has December in Naperville gotten warmer over time?▼

Comparing the earliest years on record (1981–1985) with the most recent (2021–2025), average December temperatures have risen by about 4.2°C. Daytime highs moved from -1.3°C to 2.7°C and overnight lows from -10.1°C to -5.6°C over the same span.

Is December a good time to visit Naperville?▼

December is one of the cooler months of the year in Naperville and one of the drier months, so plan for around 0.8°C daytime highs and -7.1°C at night.

Is December the coldest month in Naperville?▼

Not quite — December is the 3rd coolest month in Naperville, averaging -3.1°C.

What should I pack for Naperville in December?▼

For December in Naperville, pack warm layers and a jacket for chilly mornings, with typical highs of 0.8°C and lows of -7.1°C. Bring an umbrella or light rain jacket too.

Is Naperville humid in December?▼

Relative humidity in December averages 87% — quite humid.

How windy is Naperville in December?▼

Average wind speed in December is 3.8 m/s. The windiest December on record averaged 4.6 m/s (2008).

Which December had the most rainfall in Naperville?▼

The wettest December on record was 1982 with 148 mm. On average, December sees 56 mm.

Where does this December weather data come from?▼

All figures are derived from NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources), based on MERRA-2 satellite reanalysis, covering 1981–2025.

Other Illinois cities

Explore how the weather in Naperville 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.