Early winter · Weather & things to do
Arches in December
This is the coldest month in Arches: highs average 42°F (6°C) and lows 25°F (-4°C), with about 1.1 in (27 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 54/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 42°F (6°C)
- Avg low
- 25°F (-4°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.1 in (27 mm)
- Humidity
- 64%
- Cloud cover
- 55%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 18 min
- Comfort score
- 54/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Cool days top out near 42°F (6°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 25°F (-4°C), so expect frost and ice.
Precipitation is light, about 1.1 in (27 mm) of rain or snow, and since nights fall well below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Only about 9 h 18 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April & May and September & October.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 25°F.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 18 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 78/100 in November to 54/100.
- Our Utah Mighty Five route recommends Mar – May, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 42°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 25°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Arches in December
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Desert Bistro
Moab's best-known fine-dining restaurant, with game meats and local produce.
Delicate Arch Trail
Three-mile round trip over slickrock to Utah's most famous arch.
Park Avenue Trail
Short walk between tall fins that look like a city skyline.
Balanced Rock
A 128-ft rock pinnacle with a big boulder on top, with a short loop trail around it.
Windows Section
North and South Windows and Turret Arch on short trails; Double Arch is next door.
Nearby in December
- Canyonlands in December~32 mi · highs 40°F, 0.7 in rain or snow · 1°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Capitol Reef in December~95 mi · highs 42°F, 0.8 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Aspen in December~152 mi · highs 30°F, 2.0 in rain or snow · 7°C (12°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Bryce Canyon in December~161 mi · highs 33°F, 0.8 in rain or snow · 5°C (9°F) cooler by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,819 m to Arches's ~1,428 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.
Arches in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Arches?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 54/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April & May and September & October. Expect highs of 42°F (6°C) and 1.1 in (27 mm) of rain or snow. Our Utah Mighty Five route recommends Mar – May, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Arches in December?
Average highs are 42°F (6°C) and average lows 25°F (-4°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Arches in December?
Not much: about 1.1 in (27 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 5th-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 11.9 in (302 mm).
What should I pack for Arches in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 42°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 25°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Arches 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.