Hottest Decembers in California since 1895
In 2022, the continental United States experienced its , according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, while 20 states saw one of their in the same month. The year prior, July marked the .
Climate change is driving rising temperatures and more record heat. The has climbed each decade since 1880 by about .14 degrees Fahrenheit, or roughly 2 degrees Fahrenheit total.
compiled a ranking of the hottest Decembers in California since 1895 using data from the . Rankings are based on the highest average temperature in each month. For each of the hottest months listed below, we've included the average state temperature, state-wide highs and lows for the month, and the total precipitation.
#10. December 2014
- Average temperature: 46.8掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 54.6掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 38.9掳F
- Total precipitation: 6.3"
#9. December 1980
- Average temperature: 47.1掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 58.3掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 35.8掳F
- Total precipitation: 2.62"
#8. December 1939
- Average temperature: 47.3掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 58.1掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 36.6掳F
- Total precipitation: 3.01"
#7. December 1977
- Average temperature: 47.4掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 56.2掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 38.6掳F
- Total precipitation: 5.91"
#6. December 2017
- Average temperature: 47.5掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 59.7掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 35.2掳F
- Total precipitation: 0.3"
#5. December 1929
- Average temperature: 47.9掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 59掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 36.7掳F
- Total precipitation: 4.38"
#4. December 2023
- Average temperature: 48.1掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 57.8掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 38.4掳F
- Total precipitation: 3.29"
#3. December 1950
- Average temperature: 48.2掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 57.4掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 39.1掳F
- Total precipitation: 4.21"
#2. December 2024
- Average temperature: 48.4掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 58.7掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 38.1掳F
- Total precipitation: 3.75"
#1. December 1958
- Average temperature: 48.5掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 60.9掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 36.1掳F
- Total precipitation: 1.16"
