Early winter · Weather & things to do
Chena Hot Springs in December
Chena Hot Springs cools off: highs slip to 7°F (-14°C), from 11°F in November, with lows of -3°F (-19°C) and about 1.3 in (34 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 51/100, 10th of 12.
- Avg high
- 7°F (-14°C)
- Avg low
- -3°F (-19°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.3 in (34 mm)
- Humidity
- 96%
- Cloud cover
- 56%
- Daylight
- ~2 h 56 min
- Comfort score
- 51/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 7°F (-14°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Average lows of -3°F (-19°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Expect about 1.3 in (34 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Daylight is short, roughly 2 h 56 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December sits mid-table; the best months are June & July.
- Shortest days of the year, about 2 h 56 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (49 → 51/100).
- 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 -3°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Chena Hot Springs in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Aurora Ice Museum
Year-round museum built from ice and snow, with carved sculptures, ice chandeliers and a bar serving drinks in glasses of ice.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 7°F.
Aurora viewing tour
Night tours from the resort by snowcoach to a ridgetop above the valley, with heated yurts to wait in between displays.
Rock Lake hot spring
The resort's outdoor, rock-lined hot spring pool, fed by natural springs and steaming in air far below zero.
Chena River State Recreation Area
Large state recreation area along Chena Hot Springs Road with trails, frozen river views and public-use cabins.
Nearby in December
- Fairbanks in December~51 mi · highs 8°F, 1.2 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Talkeetna in December~226 mi · highs 21°F, 3.0 in rain or snow · 8°C (14°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Anchorage in December~291 mi · highs 26°F, 2.5 in rain or snow · 10°C (19°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~590 m to Chena Hot Springs's ~354 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.
Chena Hot Springs in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Chena Hot Springs?
It's middling, scoring 51/100. The best months are June & July, at up to 80. Expect highs of 7°F (-14°C) and 1.3 in (34 mm) of rain or snow. December is inside the Dec – Mar window our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route recommends.
How cold is Chena Hot Springs in December?
Average highs are 7°F (-14°C) and average lows -3°F (-19°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Chena Hot Springs in December?
Not much: about 1.3 in (34 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 27.0 in (687 mm).
What should I pack for Chena Hot Springs in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around -3°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Chena Hot Springs
Routes in season in December
- Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage Dec – Mar
Planning Chena Hot Springs in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.