Early winter · Weather & things to do
Duluth in December
Duluth cools off: highs slip to 26°F (-4°C), from 39°F in November, with lows of 13°F (-10°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
- 26°F (-4°C)
- Avg low
- 13°F (-10°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.7 in (42 mm)
- Humidity
- 93%
- Cloud cover
- 71%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 21 min
- Comfort score
- 46/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 26°F (-4°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 13°F (-10°C), so expect frost and ice.
About 1.7 in (42 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Daylight is short, roughly 8 h 21 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – September.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 21 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (47 → 46/100).
- Our Minnesota North Shore route recommends Jun – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 13°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 Duluth in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Glensheen Mansion
1908 lakefront estate with original furnishings and terraced gardens.
Aerial Lift Bridge
Rising bridge over the ship canal that lifts for 1,000-foot lake freighters.
Vikre Distillery
Canal Park distillery making gins and aquavit with North Woods botanicals.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 26°F.
Duluth Lakewalk
Paved shoreline path from Canal Park toward Brighton Beach along Lake Superior.
Bent Paddle Brewing Co.
Popular Lincoln Park taproom of a Duluth craft brewery.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Nearby in December
- Grand Marais in December~106 mi · highs 24°F, 1.5 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Minneapolis in December~137 mi · highs 27°F, 1.5 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Decorah in December~241 mi · highs 30°F, 1.7 in rain or snow · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Door County in December~266 mi · highs 31°F, 2.1 in rain or snow · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~354 m to Duluth's ~200 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.
Duluth in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Duluth?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 46/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 26°F (-4°C) and 1.7 in (42 mm) of rain or snow. Our Minnesota North Shore route recommends Jun – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Duluth in December?
Average highs are 26°F (-4°C) and average lows 13°F (-10°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Duluth in December?
Not much: about 1.7 in (42 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 30.8 in (782 mm).
What should I pack for Duluth in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 13°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).
Planning Duluth 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.