Early winter · Weather & things to do
Lawrence in December
Lawrence cools off: highs slip to 41°F (5°C), from 54°F in November, with lows of 24°F (-4°C) and about 1.6 in (41 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 52/100 (11th 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 (-4°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.6 in (41 mm)
- Humidity
- 80%
- Cloud cover
- 57%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 17 min
- Comfort score
- 52/100 · 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 (-4°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect about 1.6 in (41 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because nights fall well below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 17 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April and 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 17 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 76/100 in November to 52/100.
- 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 picks involve some walking
What to do in Lawrence in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Raven Book Store
Independent bookshop on Mass Street known for its mystery section.
Wheatfields Bakery Cafe
Wood-fired bread bakery and cafe off Mass Street, good for breakfast or sandwiches.
Clinton State Park
Lakeside park with mountain-bike trails and swimming just west of town.
KU Campanile and Memorial Drive
WWII memorial bell tower on Mount Oread with views over the Kansas River valley.
Spencer Museum of Art
Free university museum with a wide collection from Asian art to American painting.
Nearby in December
- Kansas City in December~36 mi · highs 41°F, 1.7 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Springfield in December~161 mi · highs 44°F, 2.8 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Omaha in December~162 mi · highs 34°F, 1.4 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Branson in December~195 mi · highs 47°F, 3.0 in rain · 4°C (6°F) warmer by day, wetter
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.
Lawrence in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Lawrence?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 52/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April and September & October. Expect highs of 41°F (5°C) and 1.6 in (41 mm) of rain or snow. Our Kansas City to Omaha route recommends Apr – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Lawrence in December?
Average highs are 41°F (5°C) and average lows 24°F (-4°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Lawrence in December?
Not much: about 1.6 in (41 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 39.3 in (998 mm).
What should I pack for Lawrence 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 picks involve some walking).
Planning Lawrence 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.