Early winter · Weather & things to do
Louisville in December
Louisville cools off: highs slip to 43°F (6°C), from 55°F in November, with lows of 28°F (-2°C) and about 4.3 in (108 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 43/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 43°F (6°C)
- Avg low
- 28°F (-2°C)
- Rain or snow
- 4.3 in (108 mm)
- Humidity
- 86%
- Cloud cover
- 71%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 21 min
- Comfort score
- 43/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Afternoons only reach about 43°F (6°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 28°F (-2°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect about 4.3 in (108 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because nights fall well below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 21 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are September & October.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 28°F.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 21 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 68/100 in November to 43/100.
- Our Kentucky Bourbon Country route recommends Apr – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 43°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 28°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 4.3 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Louisville in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Muhammad Ali Center
Museum on Ali's life, boxing career and activism.
Big Four Bridge
Former rail bridge turned pedestrian path across the Ohio River from Waterfront Park.
Old Seelbach Bar
Classic bar in the Seelbach Hilton; order the house Seelbach cocktail.
The Brown Hotel
1923 hotel where the Hot Brown sandwich was invented.
Kentucky Derby Museum
Derby history museum at Churchill Downs with a track walking tour.
Nearby in December
- Bardstown in December~35 mi · highs 44°F, 4.5 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Lexington in December~70 mi · highs 43°F, 4.2 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Downtown Cincinnati in December~89 mi · highs 43°F, 3.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Indianapolis in December~107 mi · highs 39°F, 3.3 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, drier
These averages also cover Downtown Louisville & Waterfront and The Highlands & Cherokee Park.
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.
Louisville in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Louisville?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 43/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are September & October. Expect highs of 43°F (6°C) and 4.3 in (108 mm) of rain or snow. Our Kentucky Bourbon Country route recommends Apr – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Louisville in December?
Average highs are 43°F (6°C) and average lows 28°F (-2°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Louisville in December?
Some: about 4.3 in (108 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 50.0 in (1271 mm).
What should I pack for Louisville in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 43°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 28°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 4.3 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Louisville
Planning Louisville 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.