Early winter · Weather & things to do
Memphis in December
Memphis cools off: highs slip to 51°F (11°C), from 62°F in November, with lows of 33°F (1°C) and about 5.4 in (138 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 57/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 51°F (11°C)
- Avg low
- 33°F (1°C)
- Rain
- 5.4 in (138 mm)
- Humidity
- 83%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 39 min
- Comfort score
- 57/100 · Fair
What December feels like
It's cool, with highs near 51°F (11°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Lows average 33°F (1°C).
Rain is a real factor, with about 5.4 in (138 mm) across the month.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April and October & November.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 39 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 81/100 in November to 57/100.
- December sits inside the Oct – Apr window our Arkansas Delta Blues & Bites route recommends.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 51°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Memphis in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Rebuilt Stax Records site with Isaac Hayes' gold Cadillac and Soul Train dance floor.
The Peabody Memphis
Grand 1925 hotel where ducks march to the lobby fountain at 11am and back at 5pm.
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
Spicy, crackly fried chicken in a casual downtown dining room.
Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous
Basement restaurant since 1948 that made charcoal-broiled dry-rub ribs famous.
B.B. King's Blues Club
Beale Street's best-known club with live blues bands nightly.
Nearby in December
- Helena-West Helena in December~53 mi · highs 53°F, 5.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Clarksdale in December~72 mi · highs 54°F, 5.5 in rain · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Franklin in December~187 mi · highs 49°F, 5.0 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Nashville in December~197 mi · highs 49°F, 5.0 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Beale Street & Downtown Memphis and South Main & the Riverfront.
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.
Memphis in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Memphis?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 57/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April and October & November. Expect highs of 51°F (11°C) and 5.4 in (138 mm) of rain. December is inside the Oct – Apr window our Arkansas Delta Blues & Bites route recommends.
How cold is Memphis in December?
Average highs are 51°F (11°C) and average lows 33°F (1°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Memphis in December?
Yes: about 5.4 in (138 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 53.5 in (1358 mm).
What should I pack for Memphis in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 51°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in December
- Arkansas Delta Blues & Bites Oct – Apr
Planning Memphis in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.