December · Alaska
Best time to visit Fairbanks in December Weather, crowds & prices
Weather in Fairbanks in December
Average temperature -18°C, 36 mm of rain, about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 95% humidity — based on the five most recent complete years of ERA5 data (2021–2025).
December score
1.9/10
Ranked #12 of 12 months
- Avg temp
- -18°C
- Rainfall
- 36 mm
- Humidity
- 95%
- Days with 6h+ sun
- 0
- Crowd Density
- Quiet / Uncrowded
- Average Expenses
- $ · Budget Friendly ($)
December in Fairbanks scores 1.9/10 for nature and wildlife travel - ranked #12 of 12. Expect around -18°C, 36 mm of rain, and roughly 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine this month.
Fairbanks is Alaska's interior gateway for aurora viewing, midnight sun summers, and Chena River hot springs.
December in Fairbanks — the hardest end of the year
December sits at -18°C (0°F), firmly in deep-winter territory. Plan compact outdoor blocks with warm reset points between them rather than full days outside.
Only 36 mm of water-equivalent precipitation is expected (snow at altitude), leaving almost no days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 3.1 hours of daylight.
That is 1.9/10 on the same scale — 12th of 12 months, versus 8.8/10 for the best month here.
Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip, footwear you can get muddy.
Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
If your dates are flexible, June is materially better in Fairbanks — 6.9 points higher on the same scale.
Frequently asked
- What is the weather like in Fairbanks in December?
- In December, Fairbanks averages -18°C, 36 mm of rain, and about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Its climate-comfort score is 1.9/10.
- Is December a good time to visit Fairbanks?
- December earns a 1.9/10 climate-comfort score. Use the year-round chart to weigh the weather against your budget and crowd preferences.
- How much does it rain in Fairbanks in December?
- Expect about 36 mm of rain in December. Average humidity is 95% and there are about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
Curated in Fairbanks
Tickets & experiences
Things to do in Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.