Lafayette weather in December

In December, Lafayette sees average daytime highs of 64°F and overnight lows near 46°F, with 4.6 in of precipitation across 9.2 wet days and about 10.1 hours of daylight. It is the 11th-warmest and 4th-wettest month of the year here.

Highs ease over the month, from about 66°F in the first days to 62°F by the end. The sky is clear or mostly clear about 35% of the time in December, and the air most often feels dry.

Daylight stretches from about 10 h 12 min at the start of December to 10 h 06 min by month's end. Set against the rest of the year, December is Lafayette's 8th-clearest and 5th-windiest month. For the whole year in context, see Lafayette's year-round climate.

Daytime high
64°
11th warmest
Overnight low
46°
2nd coldest
Precipitation
4.6 in
9.2 wet days
Daylight
10 h 06 min
7:02 AM – 5:06 PM
Cloud cover
57%
8th clearest
Wind
8 mph
5th windiest
Solar energy
2.67 kWh/m²
Travel score
5.9
out of 10

Lafayette is city in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States.

Density
950/km²
people per km²
Founded
1821

Air quality: WHO Ambient Air Quality Database. Density & description: Wikidata (CC0), GeoNames.

Temperature in December

Average highAverage lowShaded bands: 10–90% of days

Highs ease over the month, from about 66°F in the first days to 62°F by the end.

A typical December day in Lafayette reaches about 64°F in the afternoon and slips back to 46°F overnight — a 18°F spread between the day's warmth and the night's chill. On most days the high lands between 51°F and 76°F. Set against its neighbours, December runs about 7°F cooler than November and about 2°F warmer than January.

20°40°60°80°151015202531
Avg high (°F)Avg low (°F)
16747
26747
36647
46647
56647
66646
76546
86546
96546
106546
116546
126446
136446
146446
156445
166445
176445
186345
196345
206345
216345
226345
236345
246245
256245
266245
276245
286244
296244
306244
316244

How December really feels in Lafayette

Once humidity and wind are folded in, December averages 0 days that feel above 90°F and 0 that feel at or below 32°F — the comfort signal a plain temperature reading hides.

Days feeling ≥ 90°F
0
heat index over the day's high
Days feeling ≤ 32°F
0
wind chill below the day's low

December sits comfortably in between — no days that feel dangerously hot or drop to a hard freeze once humidity and wind are folded in.

Lafayette weather by month

How December compares with the rest of the year at a glance. December is the 11th-warmest and 4th-wettest month here — the current month is highlighted below.

MonthHigh / Low (°F)Rainfall (inches)Wet daysDaylight (hours)Travel score
Jan62° / 44°5.09.510.35.4
Feb65° / 47°4.28.810.96.0
Mar72° / 53°4.310.111.86.7
Apr78° / 59°4.39.112.77.0
May85° / 67°3.69.713.55.5
Jun89° / 73°4.514.213.93.7
Jul90° / 75°4.917.513.83.2
Aug91° / 74°4.816.113.13.2
Sep88° / 70°3.811.212.24.5
Oct80° / 60°3.87.711.37.0
Nov71° / 51°3.58.210.57.1
Dec64° / 46°4.69.210.15.9

Cloud cover in December

ClearMostly clearPartly cloudyMostly cloudyOvercast

The sky is clear or mostly clear about 35% of the time in December.

Beyond those clear spells, partly cloudy skies cover about 13% of December, with mostly cloudy or overcast conditions the remaining 52%.

0%25%50%75%100%151015202531
Clearer (%)Cloudier (%)
15446
25347
35248
45248
55149
65149
75050
85050
94852
104951
114951
124852
134852
144852
154852
164852
174852
184852
194852
204852
214753
224753
234555
244555
254456
264456
274555
284456
294456
304456
314357

Chance of precipitation in December

Any precipitation

Lafayette gets around 4.6 in of rain and snow over 9.2 wet days in December. The line is the day-by-day chance of measurable precipitation.

Day to day, the chance of measurable precipitation averages around 30% and peaks near 32% on the wettest days, and about 0 day brings snow.

0%10%20%30%40%151015202531
Rain chance (%)
130
230
330
430
529
629
729
829
929
1029
1129
1229
1329
1429
1529
1630
1730
1830
1930
2031
2131
2231
2331
2432
2532
2632
2732
2832
2932
3032
3131

Humidity in December

DryComfortableHumidMuggyOppressiveMiserable

Most of December feels dry — the stacked bands show each day's mix of comfort levels, read off the dew point.

By dew point, December lands in the dry band about 72% of days. Sticky, muggy-or-worse air turns up on roughly 8% of them.

0%25%50%75%100%151015202531
Dry (%)Comfortable (%)Humid (%)Muggy (%)Oppressive (%)
167111291
267111291
368111290
468111290
568111290
669111190
769111190
869111190
969111190
1071111080
1171111080
1271111080
1371111080
1471111080
1572111070
1672111070
1772111070
1873101070
1972101071
207491061
217491061
227491061
237581061
247581061
257581061
267481161
277481161
287581061
297581061
307581061
317581061

Wind in December

Winds average 8 mph in December.

Across December, daily wind ranges from about 8 mph on the calmest days to 8 mph at its breeziest. It stays fairly steady from day to day.

051015151015202531
Wind speed (mph)Feels
18light breeze
28light breeze
38light breeze
48light breeze
58light breeze
68light breeze
78light breeze
88light breeze
98light breeze
108light breeze
118light breeze
128light breeze
138light breeze
148light breeze
158light breeze
168light breeze
178light breeze
188light breeze
198light breeze
208light breeze
218light breeze
228light breeze
238light breeze
248light breeze
258light breeze
268light breeze
278light breeze
288light breeze
298light breeze
308light breeze
318light breeze

Sunrise & sunset in December

DaylightNight

Daylight runs from about 10 h 12 min at the start of December to 10 h 06 min by month's end. The lit band spans sunrise to sunset each day.

Days shrink by about 6 minutes over December. Sunrise moves from 6:52 AM to 7:09 AM, and sunset from 5:04 PM to 5:14 PM.

12 AM4 AM8 AM12 PM4 PM8 PM12 AM151015202531
Daylight (h)Sunrise (AM)Sunset (PM)
110.26:525:04
210.26:535:04
310.26:545:04
410.26:545:04
510.16:555:04
610.16:565:04
710.16:575:04
810.16:575:04
910.16:585:04
1010.16:595:04
1110.16:595:05
1210.17:005:05
1310.17:015:05
1410.17:015:05
1510.17:025:06
1610.17:025:06
1710.17:035:06
1810.17:045:07
1910.17:045:07
2010.17:055:08
2110.07:055:08
2210.07:065:09
2310.07:065:09
2410.17:065:10
2510.17:075:10
2610.17:075:11
2710.17:085:11
2810.17:085:12
2910.17:085:12
3010.17:095:13
3110.17:095:14

Solar energy in December

Daily solar energy (kWh/m²)

Average shortwave solar energy reaching the ground each day in December, about 2.67 kWh/m² — the year's lowest.

For context, solar energy here swings from a low near 2.67 kWh/m² to a high of 6.18 kWh/m² in May across the year — December's 2.67 kWh/m² sits near the bottom.

0123151015202531
Solar energy (kWh/m²)Level
12.9Moderate
22.9Moderate
32.9Moderate
42.9Moderate
52.8Moderate
62.8Moderate
72.8Moderate
82.8Moderate
92.7Moderate
102.7Moderate
112.7Moderate
122.7Moderate
132.7Moderate
142.7Moderate
152.6Moderate
162.6Moderate
172.6Moderate
182.6Moderate
192.6Moderate
202.6Moderate
212.6Moderate
222.6Moderate
232.6Moderate
242.6Moderate
252.6Moderate
262.6Moderate
272.6Moderate
282.6Moderate
292.6Moderate
302.6Moderate
312.6Moderate
Planning a trip in December

Hazard calendar for Lafayette

In seasonPeak

None of Lafayette's seasonal hazards are active in December. The full-year calendar below shows when the rainy season, cyclone risk and dust haze do peak.

Lafayette sits in the Atlantic hurricane belt; the season peaks August–October.

Atlantic hurricane
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Is December a good time to visit Lafayette?

Our two travel scores rate December for general sightseeing and for beach or pool weather — 0 (poor) to 10 (ideal).

5.9
Sightseeing
6th-best month of the year
1.9
Beach & pool
11th-best month of the year

December is a reasonable time to visit Lafayette for sightseeing.

What to pack for Lafayette in December

From December's temperature range, rain chance, sun and wind — what's worth putting in the bag.

In December, Lafayette sees daytime highs around 64°F and nights near 46°F. Worth packing: a warm layer and rain gear. About 9 days see rain.

a warm layerrain gear

Sea temperature near Lafayette in December

The nearest coast averages about 62°F in December — the other half of the beach question. The full-year curve and swim-comfort zones are below.

The sea at the nearest coast (about 42 mi away) is warmest in August at about 86°F and coldest in January near 58°F.

It's comfortable for a long swim from Mar 30 to Nov 15 — about 7.6 months when the water holds above 68°F.

60°70°80°90°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecbracingcoolrefreshingwarmtropicalcomfortable to swim
Sea temperature (°F)Comfort
Jan58Bracing
Feb60Cool
Mar65Cool
Apr72Refreshing
May78Warm
Jun84Tropical
Jul86Tropical
Aug86Tropical
Sep83Tropical
Oct76Warm
Nov68Cool
Dec62Cool

UV index in Lafayette in December

LowModerateHighVery highExtreme

Clear-sky midday UV in December peaks around 4 — enough to warrant sun protection. The full-year curve, shaded by WHO exposure level, is below.

Under clear skies, the midday UV index in Lafayette peaks around July 13 at about 10 (extreme) — sunscreen, a hat and midday shade are essential. It bottoms out near December 20 at about 4 (moderate).

The index reaches 3 or more — the level where the WHO recommends sun protection — every month of the year.

025710JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecModerateHighVery highVery highExtremeVery highHighModerateJul 13UV 10Dec 20UV 4
UV index (midday)Level
Jan4Moderate
Feb6High
Mar7High
Apr10Extreme
May10Very high
Jun10Very high
Jul10Extreme
Aug9Very high
Sep8Very high
Oct6High
Nov5Moderate
Dec4Moderate

Air quality in Lafayette in December

GoodModeratePoorUnhealthyVery unhealthy

Average fine-particle pollution (PM2.5) through the year — so you can see where December falls, not just the annual average.

Air quality in Lafayette is worst in July — around 22 µg/m³ PM2.5 (moderate), about 2.7× the cleanest month (December, 8 µg/m³).

Modeled monthly averages (CAMS reanalysis, 2015–2024).

0102030JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecModerateGoodModerateGoodGoodJul 1521 µg/m³Dec 169 µg/m³
PM2.5 (µg/m³)Level
Jan14Moderate
Feb13Moderate
Mar11Good
Apr11Good
May14Moderate
Jun18Moderate
Jul22Moderate
Aug16Moderate
Sep12Moderate
Oct9Good
Nov13Moderate
Dec8Good
Location & terrain

Where is Lafayette?

Lafayette sits at 30.2°N, 92.0°W, 36 ft above sea level, in United States. The nearest listed city is New Iberia, 19 mi away.

Topography around Lafayette

How much the land rises and falls, and what covers it, within 2, 10 and 50 miles of Lafayette.

Within 2 miles, the terrain around Lafayette has only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 85 ft around an average of 43 ft above sea level; within 10 miles, only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 121 ft; within 50 miles, only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 233 ft.

The land around Lafayette is covered by trees (41%) and artificial surfaces (41%) within 2 miles, trees (40%) and grassland (37%) within 10 miles, and trees (38%) and cropland (26%) within 50 miles.

2 miles
85 ft
10 miles
121 ft
50 miles
233 ft
treesgrasslandcroplandartificial surfacesbare terrainwaterwetland
December weather nearby: New Iberia 19 mi · Opelousas 22 mi · Baton Rouge 52 mi · Zachary 59 mi · Shenandoah 62 mi · Prairieville 63 mi · Central 63 mi · Lake Charles 71 mi

United States travel facts

Power plugs
Type A / B
120 V · 60 Hz
Prices
≈ 100% of US
price level, 2025
GDP per capita
$90,027
2025
Happiness
6.8 / 10
World Happiness, 2025
Safe drinking water
98%
of population, 2024
Homicide rate
5.8
per 100k, 2023
Road deaths
12.7
per 100k/yr, 2019
Income group
High
World Bank
Religion
Protestant 47%unaffiliated 23%Roman Catholic 21%Jewish 2%

Sources: World Bank, US State Department, World Happiness Report, WHO/UNICEF, EF EPI, CIA World Factbook.

Data sources

Temperature, precipitation, cloud, humidity, wind and solar figures are a 1991–2020 climatology for Lafayette (30.2241°, -92.0198°, elevation 36 ft), computed from hourly ERA5 reanalysis — contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Sun figures are astronomical calculations, not observations. City data © GeoNames, CC BY 4.0. Map outlines from Natural Earth (public domain); interactive map © Google. Tropical-cyclone seasons are the published climatological basin seasons (NOAA National Hurricane Center / regional warning centres). Sea temperatures are the NOAA OISST v2.1 1991–2020 monthly climatology (public domain), sampled at the nearest ocean point. UV index is derived from CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) clear-sky UV data — contains modified Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information. Monthly air-quality (PM2.5) seasonality is from the CAMS EAC4 reanalysis (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service), scaled to the WHO annual mean where available. Topography is sampled from the Copernicus DEM GLO-90 elevation model (© ESA/Airbus) and ESA WorldCover 2021 land cover (CC BY 4.0).