Weather · December
Palm Desert weather in December
Average highs of 69°F, lows of 46°F and 0.70 in of rain, from 30 years of weather records.
December is Palm Desert’s coldest month, with average highs of 69°F and lows of 46°F. That is 9° cooler than November, and 20° below the yearly average high.
- Average high
- 69°F
- Average low
- 46°F
- Precipitation
- 0.70 in
- Wet days
- 3
- Sunrise · sunset
- 6:42 AM · 4:38 PM
What to wear in December
- Mild days: dress in layers, with a light jacket or sweater for mornings and evenings.
What December weather is good for
What’s on in Palm Desert in December
Guides for this month: Christmas in Palm Desert · New Year’s Eve in Palm Desert.
- Palm Springs Festival of Lights ParadeSaturday, December 5 · 5:45 p.m. · Palm Canyon Drive, downtown Palm Springs (about 25 minutes from Palm Desert)
- Cathedral City SnowfestSaturday, December 12 · 4-8 p.m. · Downtown Cathedral City (about 15 minutes from Palm Desert)
- Mariachi Herencia de México: A Mariachi ChristmasTuesday, December 15 · 7 p.m. · McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert
- NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet at McCallum TheatreWednesday, December 16 · 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. · McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert
- Los Angeles Master Chorale: Festival of CarolsSaturday, December 19 · 8 p.m. · McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert
- Coachella Valley Firebirds Teddy Bear TossSunday, December 20 · 5 p.m. · Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert
- Dave Koz & Friends ChristmasSunday, December 20 · 7 p.m. · McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert
- Agua Caliente Outdoor New Year's Eve Celebration & FireworksThursday, December 31 · Doors 7 p.m.; fireworks at midnight · Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs (about 25 minutes from Palm Desert)
- Firebirds New Year's Eve GameThursday, December 31 · 5 p.m. · Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert
- Michael Feinstein: An Elegant New Year's EveThursday, December 31 · 7 p.m. · McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert
See all upcoming events.
December compared with the months around it
Planning a trip? See the best time to visit Palm Desert and today’s forecast.
Questions
How hot does it get in Palm Desert in December?
Average highs are 69°F and average lows 46°F, for a daily mean of 58°F. Individual days run hotter or colder than these 30-year averages.
Does it rain in Palm Desert in December?
December averages 0.70 in of precipitation over about 3 days with at least 0.01 in. It is the 3rd wettest month of the year.
What time is sunset in Palm Desert in December?
Around mid-December the sun rises about 6:42 AM and sets about 4:38 PM, for roughly 9.9 hours of daylight.
Is December a good time to visit Palm Desert?
Yes. December is one of the mildest months, with highs between 65°F and 85°F and little rain.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Palm Springs Rgnl Ap station (10.5 mi from downtown). Sunrise and sunset are calculated for December 15 at the city’s coordinates.