Early winter · Weather & things to do
Door County in December
Door County cools off: highs slip to 31°F (0°C), from 43°F in November, with lows of 22°F (-5°C) and about 2.1 in (54 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 43/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 31°F (0°C)
- Avg low
- 22°F (-5°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.1 in (54 mm)
- Humidity
- 88%
- Cloud cover
- 75%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 36 min
- Comfort score
- 43/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 31°F (0°C).
Average lows of 22°F (-5°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Expect about 2.1 in (54 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 75%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 11 mph (5.0 m/s) at ground level.
Daylight is short, roughly 8 h 36 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – September.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 22°F.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 36 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 47/100 in November to 43/100.
- Our Chicago & Great Lakes route recommends Jun – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 22°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Windproof shellaverage wind 11 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Door County in December
With highs near 31°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Pelletier's Restaurant & Fish Boil
Traditional Door County fish boil with the flame-up finale, followed by cherry pie.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 31°F.
Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant
Swedish pancakes with lingonberries under goats grazing on the sod roof.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Door Peninsula Winery
Winery in an old schoolhouse pouring cherry and fruit wines.
Why now A cozy break on a 31°F day.
Washington Island Ferry
Ferry across Death's Door strait to a quiet island with beaches and lavender farms.
Cave Point County Park
Lake Michigan waves crash into undercut limestone ledges.
Nearby in December
- Sleeping Bear Dunes in December~58 mi · highs 35°F, 2.5 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Traverse City in December~79 mi · highs 34°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · 1°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Mackinac Island in December~138 mi · highs 31°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Milwaukee in December~140 mi · highs 33°F, 2.1 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, 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.
Door County in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Door County?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 43/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 31°F (0°C) and 2.1 in (54 mm) of rain or snow. Our Chicago & Great Lakes route recommends Jun – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Door County in December?
Average highs are 31°F (0°C) and average lows 22°F (-5°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Door County in December?
Not much: about 2.1 in (54 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 33.7 in (855 mm).
What should I pack for Door County in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 22°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), windproof shell (average wind 11 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Door County
Planning Door County 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.