Early winter · Weather & things to do
Grand Marais in December
Grand Marais cools off: highs slip to 24°F (-4°C), from 38°F in November, with lows of 11°F (-12°C) and about 1.5 in (38 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 45/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 24°F (-4°C)
- Avg low
- 11°F (-12°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.5 in (38 mm)
- Humidity
- 94%
- Cloud cover
- 75%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 13 min
- Comfort score
- 45/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 24°F (-4°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Average lows of 11°F (-12°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Expect about 1.5 in (38 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 75%.
Only about 8 h 13 min of daylight means early sunsets.
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 13 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (45 → 45/100).
- 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 11°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Grand Marais in December
With highs near 24°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Cascade River State Park
Short loop past stepped waterfalls in a narrow gorge just off Hwy 61.
Judge C.R. Magney State Park
Trail to the Devil's Kettle, where half the Brule River seems to vanish into a pothole.
Voyageur Brewing Company
Downtown brewery with a rooftop deck overlooking the harbor.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 24°F.
Sven & Ole's
Long-running pizza joint with the Pickle Herring pub attached.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Lutsen Mountains Summit Express Gondola
Gondola ride over the Poplar River valley to Moose Mountain's lake views.
Nearby in December
- Duluth in December~106 mi · highs 26°F, 1.7 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Minneapolis in December~237 mi · highs 27°F, 1.5 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Door County in December~242 mi · highs 31°F, 2.1 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Sleeping Bear Dunes in December~290 mi · highs 35°F, 2.5 in rain · 6°C (11°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~468 m to Grand Marais's ~186 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.
Grand Marais in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Grand Marais?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 45/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 24°F (-4°C) and 1.5 in (38 mm) of rain or snow. Our Minnesota North Shore route recommends Jun – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Grand Marais in December?
Average highs are 24°F (-4°C) and average lows 11°F (-12°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Grand Marais in December?
Not much: about 1.5 in (38 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 28.5 in (723 mm).
What should I pack for Grand Marais in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 11°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Grand Marais
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