Early winter · Weather & things to do
Cherokee in December
Cherokee cools off: highs slip to 49°F (9°C), from 57°F in November, with lows of 31°F (-1°C) and about 5.3 in (135 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 51/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 49°F (9°C)
- Avg low
- 31°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 5.3 in (135 mm)
- Humidity
- 83%
- Cloud cover
- 63%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 37 min
- Comfort score
- 51/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Afternoons only reach about 49°F (9°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Average lows of 31°F (-1°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Rain is a real factor, with about 5.3 in (135 mm) across 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 31°F.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 37 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 74/100 in November to 51/100.
- Our Blue Ridge Parkway Slow Drive recommends May – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
- Our Smokies Weekend route recommends Apr – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 49°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 31°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes5.3 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Cherokee in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Granny's Kitchen
Southern buffet of fried chicken, vegetables and cobbler in Cherokee.
Mingus Mill
1886 turbine gristmill still grinding cornmeal.
Mountain Layers Brewing Company
Downtown Bryson City brewery with 16 taps, an upstairs deck over Main Street and a food truck out back.
Oconaluftee Visitor Center & Mountain Farm Museum
Smokies visitor center with historic farm buildings; elk often graze nearby.
Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual
Cherokee artists' cooperative selling baskets, pottery and carvings.
Kuwohi
Highest point in the Smokies (formerly Clingmans Dome), with an observation tower.
Nearby in December
- Townsend in December~28 mi · highs 52°F, 5.4 in rain · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Asheville in December~44 mi · highs 48°F, 4.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Knoxville in December~47 mi · highs 51°F, 4.9 in rain · 1°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Blowing Rock in December~103 mi · highs 42°F, 4.2 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~866 m to Cherokee's ~663 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.
Cherokee in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Cherokee?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 51/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April & May and September & October. Expect highs of 49°F (9°C) and 5.3 in (135 mm) of rain. Our Blue Ridge Parkway Slow Drive recommends May – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Cherokee in December?
Average highs are 49°F (9°C) and average lows 31°F (-1°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Cherokee in December?
Yes: about 5.3 in (135 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 54.8 in (1393 mm).
What should I pack for Cherokee in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 49°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 31°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (5.3 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Cherokee in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.