Early winter · Weather & things to do
Decorah in December
Decorah cools off: highs slip to 30°F (-1°C), from 43°F in November, with lows of 15°F (-9°C) and about 1.7 in (42 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 46/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Avg low
- 15°F (-9°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.7 in (42 mm)
- Humidity
- 88%
- Cloud cover
- 71%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 48 min
- Comfort score
- 46/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 30°F (-1°C).
Average lows of 15°F (-9°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Expect about 1.7 in (42 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Daylight is short, roughly 8 h 48 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are August & September.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 48 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 53/100 in November to 46/100.
- Our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends May – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 15°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Decorah in December
With highs near 30°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Vesterheim National Norwegian-American Museum
Large Norwegian-American heritage museum with folk art and historic buildings.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 30°F.
Seed Savers Exchange Heritage Farm
Heirloom gardens, orchards and trails on an 890-acre farm.
Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.
Taproom of the brewery behind Pseudo Sue and other hoppy cult beers.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 30°F.
Phelps Park
Hilltop park with stone overlooks above the Upper Iowa River.
Oneota Community Food Co-op
Local grocery with a deli for sandwiches and picnic supplies.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Nearby in December
- Dubuque in December~79 mi · highs 33°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Minneapolis in December~137 mi · highs 27°F, 1.5 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Des Moines in December~151 mi · highs 35°F, 1.5 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Milwaukee in December~196 mi · highs 33°F, 2.1 in rain or snow · 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.
Decorah in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Decorah?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 46/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are August & September. Expect highs of 30°F (-1°C) and 1.7 in (42 mm) of rain or snow. Our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends May – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Decorah in December?
Average highs are 30°F (-1°C) and average lows 15°F (-9°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Decorah in December?
Not much: about 1.7 in (42 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 3rd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 37.0 in (939 mm).
What should I pack for Decorah in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 15°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Decorah
Planning Decorah in December?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.