Early winter · Weather & things to do
Austin in December
Austin cools off: highs slip to 62°F (17°C), from 71°F in November, with lows of 40°F (4°C) and about 1.9 in (49 mm) of rain.
At 87/100 for comfort (5th of 12), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 62°F (17°C)
- Avg low
- 40°F (4°C)
- Rain
- 1.9 in (49 mm)
- Humidity
- 72%
- Cloud cover
- 54%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 03 min
- Comfort score
- 87/100 · Great
What December feels like
Days are mild at around 62°F (17°C): comfortable for walking all day, with a layer for the evening.
There's a big swing between day and night, about 12°C (22°F), so mornings and evenings feel much cooler than the afternoon.
Rain is moderate at about 1.9 in (49 mm) for the month.
Plan around December
December is one of Austin's best months on the climate data.
- Last of the best-scoring months: by January, the score drops to 83/100.
- Shortest days of the year, about 10 h 03 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 92/100 in November to 87/100.
- December sits inside the Oct – Apr window our Texas BBQ Trail route recommends.
What to pack for December
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 40°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Austin in December
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Kreuz Market
Lockhart barbecue hall since 1900; meat on butcher paper, no sauce, no forks.
Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Colony
Up to 1.5 million bats stream out from under the bridge at dusk.
Why now December scores 87/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
la Barbecue
East Austin pit known for brisket, beef ribs and house sausage, with shorter lines than Franklin.
Barton Springs Pool
Spring-fed pool that stays near 68°F year-round in Zilker Park.
Why now Highs near 62°F and 1.9 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
The Continental Club
South Congress music bar since 1955 with live country, rockabilly and blues.
Nearby in December
- Texas Hill Country in December~55 mi · highs 60°F, 1.5 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- San Antonio in December~74 mi · highs 64°F, 1.8 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Downtown Houston in December~146 mi · highs 64°F, 3.8 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Dallas in December~182 mi · highs 57°F, 2.4 in rain · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Downtown Austin & Lady Bird Lake and Zilker Park & Barton Springs.
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.
Austin in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Austin?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 87/100. Expect highs of 62°F (17°C) and 1.9 in (49 mm) of rain. December is inside the Oct – Apr window our Texas BBQ Trail route recommends.
How cold is Austin in December?
Average highs are 62°F (17°C) and average lows 40°F (4°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Austin in December?
Not much: about 1.9 in (49 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 33.1 in (841 mm).
What should I pack for Austin in December?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 40°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Routes in season in December
- Texas BBQ Trail Oct – Apr
Planning Austin in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.