Early winter · Weather & things to do
Gulf Shores in December
Gulf Shores cools off: highs slip to 65°F (18°C), from 70°F in November, with lows of 58°F (14°C) and about 5.0 in (126 mm) of rain.
It scores 80/100 for comfort, 7th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 65°F (18°C)
- Avg low
- 58°F (14°C)
- Rain
- 5.0 in (126 mm)
- Humidity
- 80%
- Cloud cover
- 58%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 04 min
- Comfort score
- 80/100 · Great
What December feels like
Highs near 65°F (18°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 58°F (14°C).
Rain is a real factor, with about 5.0 in (126 mm) across the month.
Plan around December
December is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (March, May and October & November).
- Shortest days of the year, about 10 h 04 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 87/100 in November to 80/100.
- Our New Orleans & Gulf Coast route recommends Feb – May, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 58°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Gulf Shores in December
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Hands-on zoo with animal encounters on the edge of town.
Why now December scores 80/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Gulf State Park
Two miles of white-sand beach plus lakes and campgrounds.
Why now Highs near 65°F and 5.0 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Fort Morgan State Historic Site
Brick star fort that guarded Mobile Bay in the 1864 battle.
Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
Paved trail network through pine and marsh, great for biking.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
The Hangout
Beachfront open-air restaurant and music venue at the main public beach.
Nearby in December
- Mobile in December~37 mi · highs 63°F, 5.5 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- New Orleans in December~143 mi · highs 62°F, 5.0 in rain · 1°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Downtown & Midtown Atlanta in December~311 mi · highs 53°F, 5.2 in rain · 6°C (12°F) cooler 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.
Gulf Shores in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Gulf Shores?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 80/100 against a best of 87 in March, May and October & November. Expect highs of 65°F (18°C) and 5.0 in (126 mm) of rain. Our New Orleans & Gulf Coast route recommends Feb – May, so December is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Gulf Shores in December?
Average highs are 65°F (18°C) and average lows 58°F (14°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Gulf Shores in December?
Yes: about 5.0 in (126 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 5th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 59.4 in (1510 mm).
What should I pack for Gulf Shores in December?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 58°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Gulf Shores
Planning Gulf Shores 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.