Early winter · Weather & things to do
Asheville in December
Asheville cools off: highs slip to 48°F (9°C), from 57°F in November, with lows of 30°F (-1°C) and about 4.9 in (124 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 53/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 48°F (9°C)
- Avg low
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 4.9 in (124 mm)
- Humidity
- 82%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 36 min
- Comfort score
- 53/100 · Fair
What December feels like
It's cool, with highs near 48°F (9°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 30°F (-1°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect regular rain: about 4.9 in (124 mm) falls in the month.
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 30°F.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 36 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 74/100 in November to 53/100.
- Our Blue Ridge Parkway Slow Drive recommends May – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
- Our Asheville, Blowing Rock & Boone route is planned for Late Nov – Dec, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — December is part of it.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 48°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 30°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes4.9 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Asheville in December
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Christmas at Biltmore
George Vanderbilt's 250-room chateau decorated with dozens of trees, including a 35-foot Fraser fir in the Banquet Hall.
River Arts District
Old warehouses along the French Broad River turned into working studios where you can buy straight from the artists.
Wedge Brewing Co.
River Arts District brewery with an outdoor yard and food trucks.
Craggy Gardens
Rhododendron-covered balds with a short trail to a summit shelter.
12 Bones Smokehouse
Barbecue joint in the River Arts District, lunch only.
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
Parkway headquarters with a film, interactive map and ranger info.
Nearby in December
- Cherokee in December~44 mi · highs 49°F, 5.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Blowing Rock in December~62 mi · highs 42°F, 4.2 in rain or snow · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, drier
- Townsend in December~68 mi · highs 52°F, 5.4 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Knoxville in December~81 mi · highs 51°F, 4.9 in rain · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Asheville in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Asheville?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 53/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April & May and September & October. Expect highs of 48°F (9°C) and 4.9 in (124 mm) of rain. Our Blue Ridge Parkway Slow Drive recommends May – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Asheville in December?
Average highs are 48°F (9°C) and average lows 30°F (-1°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Asheville in December?
Yes: about 4.9 in (124 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 53.0 in (1347 mm).
What should I pack for Asheville in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 48°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 30°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (4.9 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in December
- Asheville, Blowing Rock & Boone Late Nov – Dec
Planning Asheville in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.