Fairbanks weather in December
“A quiet, cold month. Beautiful for those who prefer it that way.”
Roughly 7 rainy days across the month, on average.
In december, Fairbanks settles into its cold, contemplative stillness. The city keeps a different pulse than in summer or midwinter, and travellers who arrive with the right expectations are rewarded.
Days average around -14°C (7°F), cooling to -21°C after sunset. Rain is rare enough that you can plan without a contingency. Daylight is short — the mornings arrive slowly and the evenings settle in early.
These figures are climatological averages, drawn from a decade of daily records via the Open-Meteo Archive — not a forecast. But they are honest, and they are the sort of thing a good travel guide ought to tell you before you book the flight.
What to pack for Fairbanks in December
- •A properly warm coat — not a fashion piece
- •A merino base layer for the cold evenings
- •Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes
- •A small daypack that won't look like a tourist beacon
What to pack for Fairbanks in December
- →Merino wool base layerAmazon · shop this
- →Insulated puffer jacketAmazon · shop this
- →Thermal glovesAmazon · shop this
- →Universal travel adapterAmazon · shop this
- →Compression packing cubesAmazon · shop this
- →Anti-theft crossbody bagAmazon · shop this
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Fairbanks in December — FAQ
Q01Is December a good month for Fairbanks?
Is December a good month for Fairbanks?
It is a challenging month — you may want to consider another time of year. In December, Fairbanks averages a high of -14°C (7°F) and a low of -21°C (-5°F), with 28mm of rainfall across roughly 7 rainy days.
Q02How warm does Fairbanks get in December?
How warm does Fairbanks get in December?
The average high temperature in Fairbanks during December is -14°C (7°F), with an average low of -21°C (-5°F). These figures are averaged from 11 complete years of daily records (2015–2025, Open-Meteo Archive).
Q03Does it rain a lot in Fairbanks in December?
Does it rain a lot in Fairbanks in December?
Fairbanks averages approximately 7 rainy days in December, with a total monthly rainfall of about 28mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days.
Q04What clothes should I bring to Fairbanks in December?
What clothes should I bring to Fairbanks in December?
For Fairbanks in December, pack a warm winter coat, a merino base layer for evenings, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on 11 complete years of weather averages for this specific month.
Q05Are there many tourists in Fairbanks in December?
Are there many tourists in Fairbanks in December?
Tourist crowds in Fairbanks during December are typically low — winter is off-season, meaning quiet streets and better hotel deals. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely.