Ames, United States — Weather in December 2026

Monthly climate averages for Ames, United States. Based on 10-year ERA5 reanalysis data.

Dfa Hot-Summer Continental
2.1 /10
Poor

December is a poor month in Ames

Climate Overview

Ames, United States in December has cold conditions, with highs averaging around 2.9°C (37°F).

This month falls at the beginning of Winter. Cold conditions dominate the month.

Daily highs in December gradually drop from around 5°C (40°F) at the start to 2°C (35°F) by month's end.

Rainfall is heaviest during the last third of the month, while the first third tends to be drier.

Expect around 6.2h of sunshine at the start of December, decreasing to 4.7h by the end.

The warmest days tend to fall around the 3th, averaging 4.6°C (40°F).

Compared to November, this month is about 7°C cooler with 0 fewer rainy days. Temperatures begin dropping heading into January.

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Monthly December Averages

Temperature
3°C / -5°C
Feels Like
-2°C / -11°C
Rain
6 days · 37 mm
Sunshine
5.8h / day
Humidity
71% — Humid
Wind
23 km/h
Wind Direction
W (262°)
Gusts
41 km/h
Daylight
9.2 h
Cloud Cover
61%
Clear Sky Days
3
UV Index
2.1 — Moderate
Dew Point
-6°C — Dry
Moon Phase
Waxing Crescent · 31%
Snow Days
7 days · 9.1 cm
Frost Days
26 days

Climate Charts

Daily averages based on historical data (2016–2025)

Daily Temperature

12°C 8°C 4°C 0°C -4°C -8°C -12°C 151015202531
HighLow

Daily Precipitation

0 mm 2 mm 4 mm 6 mm 151015202531
Rainfall

Daily Sunshine

0h 2h 4h 6h 8h 10h 151015202531
Sunshine

Daily Wind Speed

0 6 12 18 24 30 151015202531
Wind Speed
Sun Position
Sunrise 07:37
Daylight 9.1h
Sunset 16:45

What to Expect

Cold daytime highs of 3°C (37°F) mean shorter outdoor excursions with warming breaks.

Rain usually comes in shorter passing showers rather than all-day rain.

2 of the last 5 yearly records were warmer than this month's long-run average.

Compare Months

January
Poor
Temp
-1°C / -10°C
Feels Like
-6°C / -15°C
Rain
7days (36 mm) Good
Sun
5.7h Fair
Humidity
74% Muggy
UV
2.6 Moderate
Snow Days
9days
View Details
February
Poor
Temp
2°C / -8°C
Feels Like
-3°C / -14°C
Rain
6days (32 mm) Good
Sun
7.5h Good
Humidity
70% Muggy
UV
3.7 Moderate
Snow Days
7days
View Details
March
Poor
Temp
11°C / 0°C
Feels Like
6°C / -5°C
Rain
10days (79 mm) Wet
Sun
7.8h Good
Humidity
66% Muggy
UV
4.6 Moderate
Snow Days
5days
View Details
April
Fair
Temp
16°C / 5°C
Feels Like
13°C / 1°C
Rain
11days (90 mm) Wet
Sun
9h Good
Humidity
62% Muggy
UV
5.6 High
Snow Days
3days
View Details
May best
Excellent
Temp
22°C / 12°C
Feels Like
21°C / 9°C
Rain
13days (137 mm) Wet
Sun
9.7h Good
Humidity
67% Muggy
UV
7 High
View Details
June best
Excellent
Temp
28°C / 18°C
Feels Like
30°C / 18°C
Rain
10days (103 mm) Wet
Sun
12.2h Excellent
Humidity
67% Muggy
UV
7.2 Very High
View Details
July best
Excellent
Temp
29°C / 20°C
Feels Like
32°C / 21°C
Rain
8days (96 mm) Wet
Sun
12.1h Excellent
Humidity
73% Muggy
UV
7.3 Very High
View Details
August best
Excellent
Temp
28°C / 19°C
Feels Like
30°C / 19°C
Rain
8days (76 mm) Wet
Sun
11.3h Excellent
Humidity
71% Muggy
UV
6.7 High
View Details
September best
Excellent
Temp
26°C / 16°C
Feels Like
26°C / 15°C
Rain
8days (90 mm) Wet
Sun
9.8h Good
Humidity
68% Muggy
UV
5.7 High
View Details
October
Good
Temp
18°C / 8°C
Feels Like
15°C / 5°C
Rain
8days (93 mm) Wet
Sun
7.7h Good
Humidity
63% Muggy
UV
4 Moderate
Snow Days
1days
View Details
November
Poor
Temp
10°C / 1°C
Feels Like
6°C / -4°C
Rain
6days (46 mm) Good
Sun
6.5h Fair
Humidity
67% Muggy
UV
2.7 Moderate
Snow Days
3days
View Details
December
Poor
Temp
3°C / -5°C
Feels Like
-2°C / -11°C
Rain
6days (37 mm) Good
Sun
5.8h Fair
Humidity
71% Muggy
UV
2.1 Moderate
Snow Days
7days
View Details
Month Temp Feels Like Rain Sun Humidity UV Status
January -1°C / -10°C -6°C / -15°C 7days (36 mm) Good 5.7h Fair 74% Muggy 2.6 Moderate Poor View Details
February 2°C / -8°C -3°C / -14°C 6days (32 mm) Good 7.5h Good 70% Muggy 3.7 Moderate Poor View Details
March 11°C / 0°C 6°C / -5°C 10days (79 mm) Wet 7.8h Good 66% Muggy 4.6 Moderate Poor View Details
April 16°C / 5°C 13°C / 1°C 11days (90 mm) Wet 9h Good 62% Muggy 5.6 High Fair View Details
May best 22°C / 12°C 21°C / 9°C 13days (137 mm) Wet 9.7h Good 67% Muggy 7 High Excellent View Details
June best 28°C / 18°C 30°C / 18°C 10days (103 mm) Wet 12.2h Excellent 67% Muggy 7.2 Very High Excellent View Details
July best 29°C / 20°C 32°C / 21°C 8days (96 mm) Wet 12.1h Excellent 73% Muggy 7.3 Very High Excellent View Details
August best 28°C / 19°C 30°C / 19°C 8days (76 mm) Wet 11.3h Excellent 71% Muggy 6.7 High Excellent View Details
September best 26°C / 16°C 26°C / 15°C 8days (90 mm) Wet 9.8h Good 68% Muggy 5.7 High Excellent View Details
October 18°C / 8°C 15°C / 5°C 8days (93 mm) Wet 7.7h Good 63% Muggy 4 Moderate Good View Details
November 10°C / 1°C 6°C / -4°C 6days (46 mm) Good 6.5h Fair 67% Muggy 2.7 Moderate Poor View Details
December 3°C / -5°C -2°C / -11°C 6days (37 mm) Good 5.8h Fair 71% Muggy 2.1 Moderate Poor View Details

What to Wear

Full winter gear is a must — insulated coat, thermal base layers, warm hat, gloves, and waterproof boots.

A waterproof jacket or compact umbrella is recommended for occasional showers.

Packing List

Warm coatThermal base layersScarf & glovesUmbrellaComfortable walking shoes

Frequently Asked Questions

December is typically poor for visiting Ames, with average highs of 3°C (37°F) and around 6 rainy days. Ames, United States in December has cold conditions, with highs averaging around 2.9°C (37°F).
Ames typically sees around 6 rainy days in December with 37 mm (1.5 in) of total rainfall. An umbrella should suffice.
Yes, nights in Ames during December are cold, averaging -5°C (22°F). Pack warm layers and a coat for evenings.
With highs of 3°C (37°F) and lows of -5°C (22°F) in December, we recommend: Warm coat, Thermal base layers, Scarf & gloves, Umbrella, Comfortable walking shoes. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.
December is not the most favourable month weather-wise in Ames. Consider visiting during months with milder temperatures or less rainfall for a better experience.
The average UV index in Ames during December is 2 (low). No special sun protection is needed.
Ames gets approximately 9 hours of daylight per day in December, with around 6 hours of sunshine.
Yes, Ames typically sees around 7 snow days in December with roughly 9 cm (4 in) of snowfall.

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