It's Warm for December, But Is It Warm Enough for Shorts?

Above-average temperatures are expected for December for most of the contiguous U.S. While it will not feel like December or winter, it also won't feel like beach days in most locations either.

Winter coats will likely be put away for many areas this month and you can expect more comfortable temperatures. So to get a better idea of what this really means we decided to take a closer look at how mild temperatures may get for selected cities. Scroll down to find out really how warm it will be and whether you need to break out your shorts and tee shirts, or if a light coat will still be necessary.

(MORE: Warm Weather to Dominate This Week)

December's Mild Forecast

One of the interesting aspects of the above-average temperature forecast in how persistent the warmth will be for many areas. Temperatures are expected to be warmer than average for this time of year for the eastern half of the U.S. for most of the month. Records are likely to be broken for both high temperatures and warm low temperatures.

The forecast from the Climate Prediction Center, a division of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), indicates where the chances are higher for above and below average temperatures. The orange areas on the map show where the chances for above-average temperatures are higher and the blue areas where there is a higher chance of below-average temperatures. Above or below average temperatures refer to temperatures that are in the upper or lower third of historical temperatures.

In addition, the outlook from WSI (Weather Services International) also indicates how far above average temperatures may be, with locations from the northern Plains into the eastern Great Lakes likely seeing temperatures the most above average.

(MORE: Winter 2015-16 Temperature Outlook)

One of the impacts of the warmer-than-average conditions is a lack of snowfall, especially in portions of the Northeast. Buffalo, New York, has not received any measurable snow through Dec. 7 which has broken the record for latest first snowfall (previous record was Dec. 3).

(MORE: The Impact of El Niño on Seasonal Snowfall)

There are indications that cooler conditions will develop toward mid-December in parts of the West and southern Plains.

This pattern is typical for a strong El Niño in the winter months. In many El Niño winters temperatures are warmer than average in the northern tier, with cooler temperatures usually found in the southern tier, where wetter-than-average conditions are more likely as well.

However, El Niño is not the only factor to consider in looking at temperature forecast for the winter, and this pattern will likely not last through January and February. The risk of upper-level atmospheric blocking in the North Atlantic increases in January and February, which can force colder temperatures into the Eastern U.S. for prolonged periods.

(MORE: El Niño Zone Breaks November Water Temperature Record)

Enjoy the mild December temperatures as winter will likely return later in the season.

Midwest

The northern Plains and Midwest will be one of the regions of the U.S. which will likely see temperatures the highest above average for December.

Fargo, North Dakota: The average high in December is 22.3 degrees and the average low is a very chilly 5.9 degrees. High temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above average are likely into mid-December. Plan on wearing a light coat.

Minneapolis: What does 10 to 20 degrees above average look like here? Highs would be in the mid 30s to mid 40s with lows in the upper 20s to upper 30s. Plan on wearing a light coat.

Detroit: Temperatures may reach 20 degrees warmer than average which would put highs in the mid 50s to near 60 degrees. The highest temperature recorded in December was 69 degrees on December 6, 1998. You can probably leave the coat at home.

Chicago: Temperatures are expected to be about 20 degrees above average here as well. This would equate to highs in the 50s and lows in the 40s, which are pleasant temperatures for the beginning of winter. You can probably leave the coat at home.

St. Louis: The warmest low temperature recorded here in December is 63 degrees, which would mean temperatures would be around 35 degrees above average. Current expectations are for temperatures to be close to 20 to 30 degrees above average with highs topping out in the mid 60s and lows in the 50s. You can break out the tee shirts.

Northeast

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The Northeast is likely to see temperatures warmer than average for much of December, which will limit the snowfall potential, especially in the big cities.

New York City: Temperatures are expected to be close to 20 degrees above average at times which would bring high temperatures around 60 degree and low temperatures to close to 50 degrees. The highest temperature on record for the month is 75 degrees which was set on December 7, 1998. You can break out the tee shirts.

Boston: After the record snow last winter, snow is unlikely due to the warm temperatures through at least mid-December  The average high in December is 41.2 degrees and the average low is 28.2 degrees and temperatures will likely be 5 to 15 degrees warmer than those average. Lows are expected to be above freezing possibly into late December. Plan on wearing a light coat.

Burlington, Vermont: The average high is 33.2 degrees in December but low temperatures are likely to be warmer than that into mid-December. Highs may be more than 20 degrees above average at times which will allow highs to reach the mid 50s. Plan on wearing a light coat.

Pittsburgh: Temperatures here are expected to be around 25 degrees above average. The average high in December is 39.4 degrees and the average low is 25.3 degrees which would translate to highs climbing into the 60s and lows around 50 degrees, quite mild for mid-December. You can break out the tee shirts.

Washington, D.C.: The average low temperature in December here is 32.5 degrees. Conditions this chilly are not expected into late December, with lows mainly in the 40s. Highs will also be above the average high of 46.8 degrees with temperatures ranging from the mid 50s to mid 60s through the middle of the month. You can probably leave the coat at home.

Southeast

Warmer than average temperatures are expected this month for the Southeast, although temperatures will not be quite as anomalous as many locations in the northern tier. However, it will feel quite warm for much of the region at times.

Atlanta: High temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees above the average high of 55.7 degrees. The very comfortable temperatures, however, will not be close to the record high for December of 80 degrees set on December 1, 1933. You can break out the tee shirts and maybe even the shorts.

Nashville: Low temperature will see a greater departure from average than high temperatures. Lows will be around 15 to 25 degrees above the average of 31.3 degrees. You can break out the tee shirts.

Miami: Temperatures will remain warm with highs 5 to 10 degrees above the expected levels for this time of year. The record high for December is 89 degrees and the warmest highs currently anticipated are in the lower 80s. Plan on breaking out the shorts.

Raleigh: Temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees above average. The average high in December is 53.6 degrees and the average low is 33.3 degrees. You can break out the tee shirts and maybe even the shorts.

Charleston, South Carolina: High temperatures will generally be 5 to 15 degrees above average for much of December with lows up to 20 degrees above average. The average high in December is 61.6 degrees and the average low is 40.1 degrees. You can break out the tee shirts and maybe even the shorts.

West

The warmth in the West will likely not last as long as for much of the eastern half of the U.S. A southward dip in the jet stream is expected to bring colder conditions to the West around mid-December and this cooler trend may persist for the remainder of the month.

Denver: Temperatures will be up to 20 degrees warmer than average for much of the second week of December. The average high for December is 42.8 degrees and the average low is a chilly 17.1 degrees. You can probably leave the coat at home.

Seattle: Temperatures will be 5 to 10 degrees above average here until this weekend when temperatures will be closer to average which is around 45.7 degrees. The highest temperature recorded in December is 66 degrees on Dec. 10, 2014, so very warm temperatures are not common in December here. Plan on wearing a light coat.

Las Vegas: The warmth will persist for most of the second week of December with high temperatures close to 20 degrees above average at times. The average high for December is 56.6 degrees. You can break out the tee shirts and maybe even the shorts.

Los Angeles: The warmer-than-average temperatures will last for a few more days with highs up to 15 degrees warmer than you would expect at this time of year. This translates to highs near 80 degrees, not close to the record of 92 degrees set on Dec. 8, 1938. Plan on breaking out the shorts.

Salt Lake City: Temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees above average for much of the second week of December. The average high in December is 38 degrees and the average low drops to 22.6 degrees. Plan on wearing a light coat.

(MAPS: 10-Day Forecast)

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