Built 2026-11-13 (13 November 2026)

December 2024: Weather Records and Temperatures Against Normal

December 2024 is settled: the figures use data received up to 9 November 2026, more than 45 days after the month ended, so the late station reports are in. This page compares December 2024 at weather stations worldwide with each station's own 1991 to 2020 December normal, ranks it against December of every year since 1951, and lists the weather records, events and storms of the month.

Data as of . Last revised (2026-11-09).

Key Facts

  • December 2024 is settled; its data run to 9 November 2026.
  • In December 2024, stations worldwide averaged +0.9 C (+1.6 F) against their 1991 to 2020 December normals, the 4th warmest December in 74 ranked years from 1951 to 2024.
  • The mean daily maximum in December 2024 was +1.1 C (+1.9 F) against normal and the mean daily minimum +0.8 C (+1.4 F).
  • Among the continents in December 2024, North America was the warmest against normal, at +1.7 C (+3.0 F), and Asia the coolest, at +0.2 C (+0.3 F).
  • The station furthest above its December normal in December 2024 was Sejmchan (Russia), at +9.5 C (+17.1 F); the furthest below was Im. Poliny Osipenko (Russia), at -4.9 C (-8.8 F).
  • Of the 8,415 stations with a full month of rain data in December 2024, 24% had less than half their normal December rain and 4% had at least twice their normal; the median station had 87% of its normal.
  • 18,679 weather records were set or tied in December 2024, including 11,977 record highs and 1,513 record lows of maximum and minimum temperature, and 15 all-time records.
  • In December 2024, 89% of the daily temperature records were record highs (8.0 to 1 highs to lows), against an average of 78% for December in 2014 to 2023.
  • 24 extreme weather events detected by this site overlapped December 2024.
  • 5 named storms had a best track position in December 2024; 2 peaked at 64 kt (119 km/h, 74 mph) or more and 2 at 96 kt (178 km/h, 110 mph) or more over their lifetime.
  • The Oceanic Nino Index for NDJ 2024, the three months centred on December 2024, was -0.43: neutral, outside any El Nino or La Nina episode. NOAA's relative index (RONI) for the same season was -1.05.
  • Monthly mean extent in December 2024: Arctic sea ice 11.41 million sq km (4.40 million sq mi), the lowest of 46 years for December; Antarctic sea ice 9.59 million sq km (3.70 million sq mi), the 10th lowest of 46 years for December.
  • Carbon dioxide at Mauna Loa averaged 425.40 ppm in December 2024, 3.54 ppm more than in December 2023.

Temperature Against Normal

December 2024, against 1991 to 2020
Stations against their December normal, December 2024 Mean temperature in December 2024 against each station's own 1991 to 2020 December normal at 2,068 stations, at most one per 1 degree cell (the one with the longest normal).
Mean temperature in December 2024 against each station's own 1991 to 2020 December normal at 2,068 stations, at most one per 1 degree cell (the one with the longest normal). Made with Natural Earth.
Stations against their December normal, December 2024
BandStations on the map
More than 3 C (5.4 F) below normal5
1 to 3 C (1.8 to 5.4 F) below normal89
Within 1 C (1.8 F) of normal746
1 to 3 C (1.8 to 5.4 F) above normal933
More than 3 C (5.4 F) above normal295
Temperature against the 1991 to 2020 normal in December 2024, worldwide and by continent
AreaStationsDaily maximum vs normalDaily minimum vs normalMean vs normalRank for December (1 is warmest)
World6,164+1.1 C (+1.9 F)+0.8 C (+1.4 F)+0.9 C (+1.6 F)4th of 74
Africa54+0.7 C (+1.3 F)-0.1 C (-0.2 F)+0.3 C (+0.5 F)17th of 67
Asia278+0.5 C (+0.9 F)-0.2 C (-0.4 F)+0.2 C (+0.3 F)22nd of 73
Europe1,034n/an/an/an/a
North America4,390+1.7 C (+3.0 F)+1.7 C (+3.1 F)+1.7 C (+3.0 F)4th of 74
Oceania405+1.1 C (+1.9 F)+1.0 C (+1.8 F)+1.1 C (+1.9 F)2nd of 74
South America3+1.8 C (+3.2 F)+0.5 C (+0.8 F)+1.1 C (+2.0 F)2nd of 27

Stations are averaged in 5 degree grid cells and the cells are weighted by the cosine of their latitude. A value and a rank need cells holding at least 50% of the weight of every cell that has ever had data for December; n/a means fewer stations have reported so far. The world includes Antarctica and islands without a continent row.

December against normal at stations worldwide, 1951 to 2024 The world value for December of every year from 1951 to 2024, computed the same way as for December 2024, which is marked. Years whose cells hold less than 50% of the weight are left blank; the number of stations changes from year to year. -2.0 C -1.0 C 0.0 C +1.0 C +2.0 C 1951195919671975198319911999200720152023
The world value for December of every year from 1951 to 2024, computed the same way as for December 2024, which is marked. Years whose cells hold less than 50% of the weight are left blank; the number of stations changes from year to year. Zero line: each station's own 1991 to 2020 December normal.
December against normal at stations worldwide, 1951 to 2024
YearMean against the 1991 to 2020 normal
1951+0.7 C (+1.3 F)
1952-1.6 C (-2.9 F)
1953-0.2 C (-0.3 F)
1954-1.1 C (-2.1 F)
1955-1.2 C (-2.1 F)
1956-0.9 C (-1.6 F)
19570.0 C (-0.1 F)
1958-0.6 C (-1.1 F)
1959-1.1 C (-1.9 F)
1960-0.3 C (-0.6 F)
1961-0.8 C (-1.4 F)
1962-0.7 C (-1.2 F)
1963-1.0 C (-1.9 F)
1964-0.9 C (-1.6 F)
1965-0.9 C (-1.6 F)
1966-1.5 C (-2.7 F)
1967-1.0 C (-1.8 F)
1968-1.6 C (-2.9 F)
1969-0.9 C (-1.7 F)
1970-0.8 C (-1.5 F)
1971-0.1 C (-0.3 F)
1972-0.2 C (-0.3 F)
1973-0.4 C (-0.8 F)
1974-1.1 C (-2.0 F)
1975-0.8 C (-1.4 F)
1976-1.2 C (-2.1 F)
1977-0.4 C (-0.8 F)
1978-1.1 C (-2.0 F)
1979+0.3 C (+0.6 F)
1980-0.1 C (-0.2 F)
1981-0.1 C (-0.2 F)
1982+0.2 C (+0.3 F)
1983-0.2 C (-0.4 F)
1984-1.3 C (-2.3 F)
1985-0.8 C (-1.4 F)
1986-0.7 C (-1.2 F)
1987-0.4 C (-0.8 F)
1988+0.2 C (+0.4 F)
1989-0.1 C (-0.3 F)
1990+0.2 C (+0.3 F)
1991-0.6 C (-1.0 F)
1992-0.3 C (-0.5 F)
1993-0.5 C (-0.9 F)
1994-0.3 C (-0.5 F)
1995-0.4 C (-0.6 F)
1996-0.3 C (-0.5 F)
1997-0.5 C (-0.8 F)
1998+0.1 C (+0.2 F)
1999+0.1 C (+0.1 F)
2000-0.4 C (-0.8 F)
2001-0.6 C (-1.0 F)
2002-0.9 C (-1.6 F)
2003+0.5 C (+0.8 F)
2004-0.2 C (-0.3 F)
20050.0 C (0.0 F)
2006+0.7 C (+1.2 F)
2007+0.5 C (+0.9 F)
2008+0.2 C (+0.3 F)
2009-0.5 C (-0.8 F)
2010-0.7 C (-1.3 F)
2011+0.2 C (+0.3 F)
2012-0.6 C (-1.0 F)
2013+0.7 C (+1.3 F)
2014+0.6 C (+1.1 F)
2015+1.5 C (+2.6 F)
2016+0.4 C (+0.7 F)
2017+0.9 C (+1.7 F)
2018+0.3 C (+0.6 F)
2019+1.0 C (+1.8 F)
2020+0.0 C (+0.1 F)
2021+0.7 C (+1.3 F)
2022-0.1 C (-0.2 F)
2023+0.9 C (+1.6 F)
2024+0.9 C (+1.6 F)

Furthest Above Normal

Stations furthest above their December normal in December 2024
StationCountryMean maximumMaximum vs normalMean minimumMinimum vs normalMean vs normalYears of normal
SejmchanRussia-21.4 C (-6.6 F)+10.1 C (+18.2 F)-30.1 C (-22.1 F)+8.9 C (+16.1 F)+9.5 C (+17.1 F)29
OlekminskRussia-19.4 C (-2.8 F)+7.4 C (+13.4 F)-26.3 C (-15.4 F)+7.9 C (+14.2 F)+7.7 C (+13.8 F)28
MogocaRussia-13.3 C (8.1 F)+6.7 C (+12.1 F)-24.8 C (-12.7 F)+8.1 C (+14.6 F)+7.4 C (+13.3 F)30
CulmanRussia-20.4 C (-4.7 F)+6.4 C (+11.5 F)-25.4 C (-13.7 F)+8.1 C (+14.6 F)+7.3 C (+13.1 F)28
King SalmonUnited States2.4 C (36.4 F)+6.0 C (+10.7 F)-3.9 C (24.9 F)+8.1 C (+14.6 F)+7.0 C (+12.7 F)30
Iliamna APUnited States3.3 C (37.9 F)+6.2 C (+11.2 F)-1.9 C (28.6 F)+7.7 C (+13.8 F)+7.0 C (+12.5 F)29
Mackay Lost Rvr RsUnited States4.7 C (40.4 F)+6.4 C (+11.6 F)-5.4 C (22.2 F)+7.4 C (+13.2 F)+6.9 C (+12.4 F)26
Copper BottomUnited States6.1 C (43.1 F)+5.9 C (+10.7 F)-4.4 C (24.1 F)+7.4 C (+13.3 F)+6.7 C (+12.0 F)30
Helena AP ASOSUnited States6.8 C (44.2 F)+6.3 C (+11.4 F)-3.1 C (26.3 F)+6.8 C (+12.2 F)+6.6 C (+11.8 F)30
Bozeman Gallatin Fld APUnited States5.7 C (42.3 F)+5.8 C (+10.4 F)-5.5 C (22.1 F)+7.3 C (+13.1 F)+6.5 C (+11.7 F)29

Furthest Below Normal

Stations furthest below their December normal in December 2024
StationCountryMean maximumMaximum vs normalMean minimumMinimum vs normalMean vs normalYears of normal
Im. Poliny OsipenkoRussia-21.3 C (-6.4 F)-3.4 C (-6.2 F)-35.6 C (-32.0 F)-6.3 C (-11.4 F)-4.9 C (-8.8 F)30
Cochetopa CreekUnited States-6.2 C (20.8 F)-5.6 C (-10.1 F)-20.5 C (-4.9 F)-2.6 C (-4.7 F)-4.1 C (-7.4 F)30
Blue Mesa LakeUnited States-5.6 C (22.0 F)-4.1 C (-7.5 F)-18.8 C (-1.9 F)-3.4 C (-6.2 F)-3.8 C (-6.8 F)30
KuqaChina-2.3 C (27.8 F)-2.5 C (-4.5 F)-15.0 C (5.1 F)-4.9 C (-8.9 F)-3.7 C (-6.7 F)26
Gunnison 3SWUnited States-6.2 C (20.9 F)-4.2 C (-7.6 F)-21.8 C (-7.2 F)-2.6 C (-4.8 F)-3.4 C (-6.2 F)30
TikanlikChina-1.5 C (29.4 F)-2.6 C (-4.6 F)-16.1 C (2.9 F)-3.4 C (-6.1 F)-3.0 C (-5.4 F)26
ZahedanIran15.4 C (59.8 F)-1.6 C (-2.9 F)-3.5 C (25.7 F)-4.3 C (-7.8 F)-3.0 C (-5.3 F)26
JubilejnajaRussia-29.0 C (-20.2 F)-0.3 C (-0.5 F)-40.9 C (-41.6 F)-5.5 C (-9.8 F)-2.9 C (-5.1 F)27
Ft StewartUnited States18.4 C (65.0 F)-0.5 C (-0.9 F)1.2 C (34.1 F)-5.1 C (-9.2 F)-2.8 C (-5.0 F)29
Lake Placid 2 SUnited States-4.1 C (24.6 F)-4.2 C (-7.6 F)-11.6 C (11.1 F)-1.3 C (-2.4 F)-2.8 C (-5.0 F)25

The lists use stations with at least 25 years behind their normal. One station does not stand for the area around it.

Countries

Mean temperature against normal by country in December 2024, countries with 5 or more stations
CountryStationsMean vs normal
Romania21+2.5 C (+4.5 F)
Estonia16+2.5 C (+4.4 F)
United States4,355+2.0 C (+3.6 F)
Russia62+1.8 C (+3.3 F)
Netherlands31+1.8 C (+3.2 F)
United Kingdom52+1.5 C (+2.7 F)
Sweden177+1.3 C (+2.3 F)
Austria5+1.2 C (+2.2 F)
Australia392+1.2 C (+2.1 F)
Germany320+1.1 C (+2.0 F)
South Africa24+1.1 C (+2.0 F)
Norway69+1.1 C (+1.9 F)
Finland122+0.9 C (+1.7 F)
Puerto Rico [United States]13+0.9 C (+1.7 F)
Thailand15+0.8 C (+1.4 F)
India20+0.8 C (+1.4 F)
Indonesia11+0.7 C (+1.2 F)
France44+0.6 C (+1.0 F)
Philippines5+0.6 C (+1.0 F)
Mexico9+0.5 C (+1.0 F)
Spain83+0.5 C (+0.8 F)
Switzerland8+0.4 C (+0.8 F)
Saudi Arabia11+0.3 C (+0.5 F)
China171+0.2 C (+0.3 F)
Algeria5+0.1 C (+0.1 F)
Kazakhstan7+0.1 C (+0.1 F)
Mongolia6-0.4 C (-0.8 F)
Benin5-1.0 C (-1.8 F)
Turkmenistan6-1.0 C (-1.8 F)
Niger10-1.2 C (-2.1 F)
Uzbekistan11-1.4 C (-2.6 F)

Rain Against Normal

8,415 stations, December 2024
Rain as a percent of the December normal, December 2024 Rain in December 2024 as a percent of each station's own 1991 to 2020 December mean at 2,107 stations, at most one per 1 degree cell.
Rain in December 2024 as a percent of each station's own 1991 to 2020 December mean at 2,107 stations, at most one per 1 degree cell. Made with Natural Earth.
Rain as a percent of the December normal, December 2024
BandStations on the map
Under 50% of normal543
50 to 90% of normal580
90 to 110% of normal330
110 to 200% of normal563
200% or more of normal91
Stations by rain in December 2024 as a percent of their 1991 to 2020 normal
Under 50%2,007
50 to 90%2,443
90 to 110%1,472
110 to 200%2,170
200% or more323

Of the 8,415 stations with a full month of rain data in December 2024, 24% had less than half their normal December rain and 4% had at least twice their normal; the median station had 87% of its normal. A station month needs 28 days of rain data, because a total from fewer days is too low, and a normal of at least 10 mm.

Wettest Against Normal

Stations with the most rain against their December normal in December 2024
StationCountryRainNormalPercent of normalYears of normal
Poprad/TatrySlovakia270.3 mm (10.6 in)26.9 mm (1.1 in)1,006%30
TangadeeAustralia98.4 mm (3.9 in)13.2 mm (0.5 in)748%26
MilgunAustralia126.0 mm (5.0 in)19.6 mm (0.8 in)644%27
Mount VernonAustralia101.8 mm (4.0 in)19.3 mm (0.8 in)529%29
Kangaroo Hills StationAustralia394.5 mm (15.5 in)75.0 mm (3.0 in)526%28
Yabulu Qld NickelAustralia632.5 mm (24.9 in)121.3 mm (4.8 in)522%27
Ayr Dpi Research STNAustralia367.6 mm (14.5 in)71.9 mm (2.8 in)511%30
WattoningAustralia55.4 mm (2.2 in)12.0 mm (0.5 in)460%29
Kelsey Creek Dittmer RdAustralia709.6 mm (27.9 in)156.1 mm (6.1 in)455%30
Horse Shoe BendAustralia334.2 mm (13.2 in)76.4 mm (3.0 in)437%30

Driest Against Normal

Stations with the least rain against their December normal in December 2024
StationCountryRainNormalPercent of normalYears of normal
Hamilton Island AirportAustralia0.0 mm (0.00 in)173.9 mm (6.8 in)0%26
Jackson McKellar- Sipes APUnited States0.0 mm (0.00 in)126.9 mm (5.0 in)0%30
PromontoryUnited States0.0 mm (0.00 in)117.1 mm (4.6 in)0%30
Moorland (Denro-An)Australia0.0 mm (0.00 in)109.8 mm (4.3 in)0%29
Baker ButteUnited States0.0 mm (0.00 in)90.0 mm (3.5 in)0%30
Idyllwild Fire DeptUnited States0.0 mm (0.00 in)87.4 mm (3.4 in)0%28
Mormon MountainUnited States0.0 mm (0.00 in)86.3 mm (3.4 in)0%30
PasadenaUnited States0.0 mm (0.00 in)84.8 mm (3.3 in)0%29
San Gabriel Canyon PhUnited States0.0 mm (0.00 in)84.6 mm (3.3 in)0%30
HeberUnited States0.0 mm (0.00 in)84.3 mm (3.3 in)0%30

Weather Records

18,679 set or tied in December 2024

18,679 weather records were set or tied in December 2024, including 11,977 record highs and 1,513 record lows of maximum and minimum temperature, and 15 all-time records.

Records set or tied in December 2024 by type
Record high maximum temperature6,057
Record high minimum temperature5,920
Record daily precipitation4,426
Record low maximum temperature775
Record low minimum temperature738
Record daily snowfall490
Record snow depth273
Records set or tied in December 2024 by timescale
Daily18,277
Monthly387
All-time15

December Against the Ten Years Before

Share of daily temperature records that were record highs, December 2014 to 2024 For December of each year from 2014 to 2024: daily record highs as a percent of daily record highs and lows together, worldwide, ties excluded, as on the warm to cold ratio page. December 2024 is marked. The share is compared rather than the totals, because the number of stations changes. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 20142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
For December of each year from 2014 to 2024: daily record highs as a percent of daily record highs and lows together, worldwide, ties excluded, as on the warm to cold ratio page. December 2024 is marked. The share is compared rather than the totals, because the number of stations changes. Dashed line: Equal highs and lows.
Share of daily temperature records that were record highs, December 2014 to 2024
YearRecord highs, percent of highs and lows
201482.0%
201594.8%
201666.3%
201763.2%
201878.9%
201987.9%
202078.9%
202184.2%
202253.5%
202387.2%
202488.9%

In December 2024, 89% of the daily temperature records were record highs (8.0 to 1 highs to lows), against an average of 78% for December in 2014 to 2023.

The Top 10 Records of December 2024

The 10 highest significance records of December 2024
DateStationCountryRecordValueSignificance
2024-12-02Beaver FallsUnited StatesAll-time snowfall101.6 cm (40.0 in)85 of 100 (Exceptional)
2024-12-12BryahAustraliaDaily precipitation55.8 mm (2.2 in)80 of 100 (Exceptional)
2024-12-29CorsicanaUnited StatesDaily precipitation85.6 mm (3.4 in)78 of 100 (Major)
2024-12-31FossilUnited StatesMonthly precipitation78.2 mm (3.1 in)78 of 100 (Major)
2024-12-01Gladstone (Old Post Office)AustraliaDaily precipitation92.4 mm (3.6 in)77 of 100 (Major)
2024-12-06BrownsvilleUnited StatesDaily precipitation51.8 mm (2.0 in)77 of 100 (Major)
2024-12-18ColvilleUnited StatesDaily precipitation48.3 mm (1.9 in)77 of 100 (Major)
2024-12-07Bushy Park (Bushy Park EstatesAustraliaDaily precipitation34.8 mm (1.4 in)75 of 100 (Major)
2024-12-14WattoningAustraliaDaily precipitation37.0 mm (1.5 in)75 of 100 (Major)
2024-12-26EllensburgUnited StatesDaily precipitation33.0 mm (1.3 in)75 of 100 (Major)

Countries With the Most Records

Countries with the most records set or tied in December 2024
CountryRecordsHighsLows
United States10,8237,561969
Australia2,178815111
Sweden6823991
Russia46224816
Finland38124143
Germany3612710
Netherlands358260
Norway3531925
India32620957
Indonesia19217814
Spain18214915
United Kingdom1801293
China121886
Thailand110902
Puerto Rico [United States]109981

Events and Storms

5 named storms had a best track position in December 2024; 2 peaked at 64 kt (119 km/h, 74 mph) or more and 2 at 96 kt (178 km/h, 110 mph) or more over their lifetime.

Storms with a best track position in December 2024, newest first
StormBasinLifetime peak windCategory at peak
DikelediSouth-West Indian99 kt (183 km/h, 114 mph)Category 3
PabukWestern North Pacific35 kt (65 km/h, 40 mph)Tropical storm
ChidoSouth-West Indian134 kt (248 km/h, 154 mph)Category 4
FengalNorth Indian45 kt (83 km/h, 52 mph)Tropical storm
RobynSouth-West Indian55 kt (102 km/h, 63 mph)Tropical storm

December 2024 in Context

These values come from other sources and the site's own analysis pages. They are context for December 2024; this page does not say that any of them caused the temperatures or records above.

How These Numbers Are Made

Each station's mean daily maximum and minimum temperature for December 2024 is compared with its own mean for December in 1991 to 2020, from months with at least 20 days of both. A station needs 20 such years for a normal. The mean is the average of the two differences. A station month more than 15 C (27 F) from its normal in either element is treated as a data error and left out.

For the world and each continent, stations are averaged within 5 degree grid cells and the cells are averaged weighted by the cosine of their latitude, so dense networks do not outweigh sparse ones. A continent uses the stations of its own countries. A year gets a value and a rank only when its cells hold at least 50% of the weight of all the cells that have ever had data for December, the rule of the climate pages. This is a station based view: places without stations are not covered, and it is not a gridded temperature analysis.

Records are the site's public ledger: one record per observation, set or tied, at its broadest timescale. The ten year comparison uses daily temperature records only, ties excluded. The numbers and sentences on this page are generated by code from the station data; none of them is typed in by hand.

Download the Data

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Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Climatology Network Daily (GHCN-Daily). Records are computed by World Extreme Weather Monitor and are not official NOAA products. (US Government open data (NOAA NCEI)) Source: International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) v04r01, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, doi:10.25921/82ty-9e16. Some agency values come from third parties such as JMA, IMD and BoM. (NOAA NCEI terms (citation requested)) Source: NOAA Climate Prediction Center, Oceanic Nino Index (ONI) and Relative Oceanic Nino Index (RONI). Episodes and strength classes are computed by World Extreme Weather Monitor and are not NOAA products. (US Government work, public domain (NWS disclaimer)) Source: Fetterer, F., Knowles, K., Meier, W. N., Savoie, M., Windnagel, A. K. and Stafford, T. (2025). Sea Ice Index, Version 4 (G02135). Boulder, Colorado USA. National Snow and Ice Data Center. doi:10.7265/a98x-0f50. Yearly extremes, ranks, trends and the climatology are computed by World Extreme Weather Monitor from the daily extent files and are not NSIDC products. (NSIDC data use and citation policy (public domain government funded data, citation required)) Source: NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory, Earth System Research Laboratories (gml.noaa.gov/ccgg/trends). Mauna Loa CO2 data are from NOAA and Scripps (before 1974 the monthly values come from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography). The global means of CO2, methane and nitrous oxide are from the NOAA GML cooperative air sampling network (methane and nitrous oxide: Lan, Thoning and Dlugokencky, doi:10.15138/P8XG-AA10). (US Government open data (NOAA GML, citation requested)) Data as of 2026-11-09. Temperatures against normal, ranks and records are computed by this site from station data and are not official.