Early winter · Weather & things to do
Medora in December
Medora cools off: highs slip to 30°F (-1°C), from 42°F in November, with lows of 16°F (-9°C) and about 0.5 in (13 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 48/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Avg low
- 16°F (-9°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.5 in (13 mm)
- Humidity
- 80%
- Cloud cover
- 67%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 20 min
- Comfort score
- 48/100 · Fair
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 30°F (-1°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Average lows of 16°F (-9°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Precipitation is light, about 0.5 in (13 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Daylight is short, roughly 8 h 20 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May & June and August & September.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 20 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 53/100 in November to 48/100.
- Our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends May – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 16°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Medora in December
With highs near 30°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Theodore's Dining Room
Dining room in the restored Rough Riders Hotel, the best sit-down meal in town.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 30°F.
Pitchfork Steak Fondue
Steaks speared on pitchforks and cooked in oil on a bluff above town.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Buck Hill
One of the highest points in the South Unit with a short paved walk to 360-degree views.
Little Missouri Saloon
Western saloon in downtown Medora with a casual bar and grill.
Why now A cozy break on a 30°F day.
Medora Musical
Outdoor variety show at the Burning Hills Amphitheatre against a badlands backdrop.
Nearby in December
- Black Hills in December~217 mi · highs 30°F, 0.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Badlands National Park in December~219 mi · highs 36°F, 0.4 in rain or snow · 3°C (6°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.
Medora in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Medora?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 48/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May & June and August & September. Expect highs of 30°F (-1°C) and 0.5 in (13 mm) of rain or snow. Our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends May – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Medora in December?
Average highs are 30°F (-1°C) and average lows 16°F (-9°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Medora in December?
Not much: about 0.5 in (13 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 16.6 in (422 mm).
What should I pack for Medora in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 16°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Medora in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.