Early winter · Weather & things to do
Lancaster in December
Lancaster cools off: highs slip to 41°F (5°C), from 53°F in November, with lows of 27°F (-3°C) and about 3.9 in (99 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 41/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 41°F (5°C)
- Avg low
- 27°F (-3°C)
- Rain or snow
- 3.9 in (99 mm)
- Humidity
- 86%
- Cloud cover
- 71%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 10 min
- Comfort score
- 41/100 · Tough
What December feels like
It's cool, with highs near 41°F (5°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Average lows of 27°F (-3°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 3.9 in (99 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with lows well below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 10 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April & May and September & October.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 27°F.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 10 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 64/100 in November to 41/100.
- Our Philadelphia, Longwood & Lancaster route is planned for Late Nov – Dec, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — December is part of it.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 41°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 27°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 3.9 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Lancaster in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Kitchen Kettle Village
Cluster of shops in Intercourse selling jams, relishes, quilts and crafts, in the heart of Amish country.
Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery
Lititz bakery opened in 1861, the first commercial pretzel bakery in the US, with short tours and a hand-twisting lesson.
Strasburg Rail Road
America's oldest operating short-line railroad, running steam trains through Amish farmland, with Santa trains in December.
Lancaster Central Market
Brick market hall that calls itself the oldest continuously operating public farmers market in the US, with Amish and Mennonite stands.
Nearby in December
- Kennett Square in December~34 mi · highs 42°F, 4.2 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Baltimore in December~54 mi · highs 43°F, 3.8 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Philadelphia in December~61 mi · highs 44°F, 4.4 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Washington, DC in December~87 mi · highs 45°F, 3.7 in rain · 2°C (3°F) warmer 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.
Lancaster in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Lancaster?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 41/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April & May and September & October. Expect highs of 41°F (5°C) and 3.9 in (99 mm) of rain or snow.
How cold is Lancaster in December?
Average highs are 41°F (5°C) and average lows 27°F (-3°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Lancaster in December?
Some: about 3.9 in (99 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 47.0 in (1194 mm).
What should I pack for Lancaster in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 41°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 27°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 3.9 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Routes in season in December
- Philadelphia, Longwood & Lancaster Late Nov – Dec
Planning Lancaster in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.