Whistler in December
What to expect
December in Whistler is early winter, with a settled seasonal pattern already in place. The month leans cold in practice, with only small changes from morning to evening. Most days feel close to what the averages suggest, with straightforward pacing. Daylight is shorter, so timing matters more than in longer-day months.
December in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Whistler.
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 8.1 h
- UV index (max)
- 2
- Typical sun hours
- 08:03 - 16:11
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 21 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 82%
- Snowfall
-
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 85%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for December. Typical high 1.1°C and low -3.1°C.
Typical disruptions in December
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in December.
Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
31.0 days / month
~100% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 31.0 days / month
- Probability ~100% of days
- Intensity Up to ~-0°C (P95)
Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~31 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Freezing nights Measures: Freezing nights (min <=0C). Observed about 79% of days (24.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
24.5 days / month
~79% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 24.5 days / month
- Probability ~79% of days
- Intensity Up to ~-0°C (P95)
Freezing nights are possible on ~24 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Snow days Measures: Snow days (>=0.1mm snowfall). Observed about 72% of days (22.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
22.2 days / month
~72% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 22.2 days / month
- Probability ~72% of days
- Intensity Up to ~31mm (P95)
Snowfall is possible on ~22 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Hard freeze nights Measures: Hard freeze nights (min <=-2C). Observed about 61% of days (19.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
19.1 days / month
~61% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 19.1 days / month
- Probability ~61% of days
- Intensity Up to ~-2°C (P95)
Hard freeze conditions are possible on ~19 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 46% of days (14.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
14.2 days / month
~46% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 14.2 days / month
- Probability ~46% of days
- Intensity Up to ~53mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~14 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 46% of days (14.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
14.2 days / month
~46% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 14.2 days / month
- Probability ~46% of days
- Intensity Up to ~53mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~14 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Show all disruptions (22 more)
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 35% of days (10.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
10.9 days / month
~35% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 10.9 days / month
- Probability ~35% of days
- Intensity Up to ~56mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~11 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 31% of days (9.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
9.6 days / month
~31% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 9.6 days / month
- Probability ~31% of days
- Intensity Up to ~98% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~10 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 26% of days (8.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.1 days / month
~26% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.1 days / month
- Probability ~26% of days
- Intensity Up to ~98km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~8 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 20% of days (6.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
6.2 days / month
~20% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 6.2 days / month
- Probability ~20% of days
- Intensity Up to ~99km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~6 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 16% of days (4.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.8 days / month
~16% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.8 days / month
- Probability ~16% of days
- Intensity Up to ~72mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 3.3 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.3 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.3 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~43mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). Observed about 6% of days (1.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.9 days / month
~6% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.9 days / month
- Probability ~6% of days
- Intensity Up to ~112km/h (P95)
Severe gusts are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Extreme rain Measures: Extreme rain days (>=50mm). Observed about 3% of days (0.9 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.9 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.9 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~81mm (P95)
Extreme rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cold snap run Measures: Cold snap runs (>=3 cold days). Observed about 1.0 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.0 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.0 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold snap runs are possible on ~1 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Short daylight Measures: Short daylight days (<=9h). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
31.0 days / month
~100% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 31.0 days / month
- Probability ~100% of days
- Intensity Up to ~8.4h (P95)
Short daylight windows are possible on ~31 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cold days Measures: Cold days (max <=10C). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
31.0 days / month
~100% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 31.0 days / month
- Probability ~100% of days
- Intensity Up to ~6°C (P95)
Cold daytime conditions are possible on ~31 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
31.0 days / month
~100% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 31.0 days / month
- Probability ~100% of days
- Intensity Up to ~3°C (P95)
Cold nights are possible on ~31 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 83% of days (25.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
25.7 days / month
~83% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 25.7 days / month
- Probability ~83% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~26 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 74% of days (23.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
23.0 days / month
~74% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 23.0 days / month
- Probability ~74% of days
- Intensity Up to ~96% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~23 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 71% of days (22.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
22.2 days / month
~71% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 22.2 days / month
- Probability ~71% of days
- Intensity Up to ~48mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~22 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 71% of days (22.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
22.1 days / month
~71% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 22.1 days / month
- Probability ~71% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~22 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 67% of days (20.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
20.8 days / month
~67% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 20.8 days / month
- Probability ~67% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~21 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 62% of days (19.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
19.1 days / month
~62% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 19.1 days / month
- Probability ~62% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~19 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 50% of days (15.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
15.4 days / month
~50% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 15.4 days / month
- Probability ~50% of days
- Intensity Up to ~90km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~15 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 47% of days (14.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
14.6 days / month
~47% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 14.6 days / month
- Probability ~47% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~15 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Heavy snowfall (INACTIVE until snowfall_sum units confirmed; set threshold once units are verified) Measures: Heavy snowfall (INACTIVE until snowfall_sum units confirmed; set threshold once units are verified). Observed about 39% of days (12.1 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
12.1 days / month
~39% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 12.1 days / month
- Probability ~39% of days
- Intensity Up to ~37 (P95)
Heavy snowfall (INACTIVE until snowfall_sum units confirmed; set threshold once units are verified) is possible on ~12 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 31% of days (9.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
9.6 days / month
~31% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 9.6 days / month
- Probability ~31% of days
- Intensity Up to ~98 (P95)
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~10 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time to visit Whistler?
Typical December days in Whistler reach highs of 0°C (32°F) with nights around -5°C (23°F). It usually feels cold by day and very cold after dark. It is among the wetter months, so it is wise to have some indoor backup plans or flexible activities.
What are temperatures like in December?
Daytime temperatures in December typically peak near 0°C (32°F), while nights drop to around -5°C (23°F). Expect cold afternoons and very cold evenings.
How much does it rain in December?
Rainfall in December averages 332 mm (13.1 in) across roughly 21 days. Overall it is a very wet time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.
How many hours of daylight are there in December?
You can expect about 8 hours of daylight in December. Sunrise is typically around 08:03 and sunset near 16:11. Daylight is quite limited, and it can feel like a short-day season.
How strong is the sun in December?
UV levels are usually low (around 2), so standard sun protection is enough.
Is it windy in December?
In December, average wind speeds are around 4 km/h (2 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 71 km/h (44 mph). On the ground, it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.