Early winter · Weather & things to do
Manhattan in December
Manhattan cools off: highs slip to 42°F (5°C), from 52°F in November, with lows of 28°F (-2°C) and about 4.6 in (116 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 40/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 42°F (5°C)
- Avg low
- 28°F (-2°C)
- Rain or snow
- 4.6 in (116 mm)
- Humidity
- 86%
- Cloud cover
- 70%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 05 min
- Comfort score
- 40/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Afternoons only reach about 42°F (5°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Average lows of 28°F (-2°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 4.6 in (116 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 05 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May and 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 05 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 63/100 in November to 40/100.
- Our NYC Cultural Weekend route recommends Sep – Nov, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 42°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 28°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 4.6 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Manhattan in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
High Line
Elevated rail-line park with plantings, public art and Hudson views from Gansevoort St to Hudson Yards.
Katz's Delicatessen
Lower East Side deli serving hand-cut pastrami on rye since 1888.
Russ & Daughters
Fourth-generation appetizing shop for smoked fish, bagels and babka.
Top of the Rock
Open-air decks atop Rockefeller Center with a clear view of the Empire State Building and Central Park.
Times Square
The billboards and Broadway theaters are at their best after dark.
Nearby in December
- New York City in December~5 mi · highs 44°F, 5.2 in rain · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Beacon in December~50 mi · highs 40°F, 4.3 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Philadelphia in December~85 mi · highs 44°F, 4.4 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Hudson in December~102 mi · highs 37°F, 4.1 in rain or snow · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Museum Mile.
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.
Manhattan in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Manhattan?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 40/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May and September & October. Expect highs of 42°F (5°C) and 4.6 in (116 mm) of rain or snow. Our NYC Cultural Weekend route recommends Sep – Nov, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Manhattan in December?
Average highs are 42°F (5°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 Manhattan in December?
Some: about 4.6 in (116 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 48.7 in (1236 mm).
What should I pack for Manhattan in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 42°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 28°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 4.6 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Manhattan
Planning Manhattan 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.