Early winter · Weather & things to do
Anchorage in December
Anchorage edges cooler than November, with highs of 26°F (-3°C), lows of 19°F (-7°C) and about 2.5 in (64 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 43/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 26°F (-3°C)
- Avg low
- 19°F (-7°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.5 in (64 mm)
- Humidity
- 93%
- Cloud cover
- 72%
- Daylight
- ~5 h 06 min
- Comfort score
- 43/100 · Tough
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 26°F (-3°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Average lows of 19°F (-7°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 2.5 in (64 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Daylight is short, roughly 5 h 06 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – August.
- Shortest days of the year, about 5 h 06 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (43 → 43/100).
- Our Alaska Glacier Route recommends Jun – Aug, so December falls outside its suggested window.
- December sits inside the Dec – Mar window our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route recommends.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 19°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 2.5 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Anchorage in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Glacier Brewhouse
Downtown brewpub with house beers and a wood-fired grill, a fixture on 5th Avenue since the 1990s.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 26°F.
Snow City Cafe
Downtown breakfast spot known for reindeer sausage and crab cake Benedict.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Anchorage Museum
Alaska's largest museum, strong on Alaska Native objects, art and Arctic science.
Why now Our curated notes list it for "rainy day", which suits a wetter month.
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
11-mile paved trail along Cook Inlet with views of Denali on clear days and moose sightings.
Flattop Mountain Trail
Anchorage's most climbed peak, 3 miles round trip from Glen Alps with a scramble at the top.
Kincaid Park
Large park at the end of the Coastal Trail with miles of groomed and lit cross-country ski trails and frequent moose.
Nearby in December
- Talkeetna in December~77 mi · highs 21°F, 3.0 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Seward in December~79 mi · highs 33°F, 11.7 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Homer in December~123 mi · highs 33°F, 7.0 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Fairbanks in December~260 mi · highs 8°F, 1.2 in rain or snow · 10°C (18°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~296 m to Anchorage's ~32 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Anchorage in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Anchorage?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 43/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – August. Expect highs of 26°F (-3°C) and 2.5 in (64 mm) of rain or snow. Our Alaska Glacier Route recommends Jun – Aug, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Anchorage in December?
Average highs are 26°F (-3°C) and average lows 19°F (-7°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Anchorage in December?
Some: about 2.5 in (64 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 32.3 in (820 mm).
What should I pack for Anchorage in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 19°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 2.5 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Anchorage
Routes in season in December
- Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage Dec – Mar
Planning Anchorage in December?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.