Early winter · Weather & things to do
Cleveland in December
Cleveland cools off: highs slip to 38°F (3°C), from 49°F in November, with lows of 30°F (-1°C) and about 2.6 in (66 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 39/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 38°F (3°C)
- Avg low
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 2.6 in (66 mm)
- Humidity
- 84%
- Cloud cover
- 84%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 01 min
- Comfort score
- 39/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 38°F (3°C).
Average lows of 30°F (-1°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 2.6 in (66 mm).
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 84%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 12 mph (5.2 m/s) at ground level.
Only about 9 h 01 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are July – September.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 30°F.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 01 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 56/100 in November to 39/100.
- Our Indiana & Ohio City-Nature Loop recommends May – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 30°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Windproof shellaverage wind 12 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Cleveland in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
A Christmas Story House
The Tremont house from the 1983 film, with a museum across the street.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 38°F.
Great Lakes Brewing Company
Ohio's pioneering craft brewery; brewpub in Ohio City with Edmund Fitzgerald Porter on tap.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 38°F.
Great Lakes Science Center
Hands-on science museum next door, with the NASA Glenn visitor center.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Brandywine Falls
65-foot waterfall with boardwalk views in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Slyman's Restaurant
Family diner since 1964 serving towering corned beef sandwiches.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Nearby in December
- Detroit in December~90 mi · highs 35°F, 2.2 in rain or snow · 1°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Mount Washington in December~115 mi · highs 38°F, 3.1 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- German Village in December~127 mi · highs 40°F, 2.9 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Frankenmuth in December~164 mi · highs 34°F, 2.2 in rain or snow · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Downtown Cleveland & the Flats and Ohio City & the Lakefront.
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.
Cleveland in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Cleveland?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 39/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are July – September. Expect highs of 38°F (3°C) and 2.6 in (66 mm) of rain. Our Indiana & Ohio City-Nature Loop recommends May – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Cleveland in December?
Average highs are 38°F (3°C) and average lows 30°F (-1°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Cleveland in December?
Some: about 2.6 in (66 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 3rd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 36.9 in (937 mm).
What should I pack for Cleveland in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 30°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely), windproof shell (average wind 12 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Cleveland
Planning Cleveland in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.