Early winter · Weather & things to do
Kansas City in December
Kansas City cools off: highs slip to 41°F (5°C), from 54°F in November, with lows of 24°F (-5°C) and about 1.7 in (43 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 51/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 41°F (5°C)
- Avg low
- 24°F (-5°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.7 in (43 mm)
- Humidity
- 81%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 16 min
- Comfort score
- 51/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Cool days top out near 41°F (5°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 24°F (-5°C), so expect frost and ice.
About 1.7 in (43 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with lows well below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Only about 9 h 16 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are September & October.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 24°F.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 16 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 74/100 in November to 51/100.
- Our Kansas City to Omaha route recommends Apr – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 41°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 24°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 Kansas City in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
National WWI Museum and Memorial
The US museum dedicated to the First World War, under the Liberty Memorial tower.
Boulevard Brewing Company
KC's largest brewery, with tours and a rooftop beer hall.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Moving history of Black baseball in the 18th & Vine Jazz District.
Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
Barbecue served out of a working gas station; the Z-Man sandwich is the order.
The Blue Room
Jazz club inside the American Jazz Museum with live music most nights.
Nearby in December
- Lawrence in December~36 mi · highs 41°F, 1.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Springfield in December~148 mi · highs 44°F, 2.8 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Omaha in December~165 mi · highs 34°F, 1.4 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Des Moines in December~179 mi · highs 35°F, 1.5 in rain or snow · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Country Club Plaza and Downtown Kansas City.
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.
Kansas City in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Kansas City?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 51/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are September & October. Expect highs of 41°F (5°C) and 1.7 in (43 mm) of rain or snow. Our Kansas City to Omaha route recommends Apr – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Kansas City in December?
Average highs are 41°F (5°C) and average lows 24°F (-5°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Kansas City in December?
Not much: about 1.7 in (43 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 40.9 in (1039 mm).
What should I pack for Kansas City in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 41°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 24°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).
More on Kansas City
Planning Kansas City in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.