Early winter · Weather & things to do
Nags Head in December
Nags Head cools off: highs slip to 55°F (13°C), from 62°F in November, with lows of 48°F (9°C) and about 4.0 in (101 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 64/100, 10th of 12.
- Avg high
- 55°F (13°C)
- Avg low
- 48°F (9°C)
- Rain
- 4.0 in (101 mm)
- Humidity
- 80%
- Cloud cover
- 70%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 34 min
- Comfort score
- 64/100 · Good
What December feels like
Afternoons only reach about 55°F (13°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Lows average 48°F (9°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 4.0 in (101 mm).
It's breezy, with average winds near 11 mph (5.1 m/s) at ground level.
Plan around December
December sits mid-table; the best months are April – June and October & November.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 34 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 79/100 in November to 64/100.
- Our Outer Banks Beach Road route recommends May – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 55°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Windproof shellaverage wind 11 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Nags Head in December
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Refuge ponds with herons, egrets and winter waterfowl along NC 12.
Why now December scores 64/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Jockey's Ridge State Park
Tallest living sand dune system on the East Coast; prime for sunset and kite flying.
Why now Highs near 55°F and 4.0 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Kitty Hawk Kites hang gliding
Beginner hang gliding lessons on the dunes of Jockey's Ridge.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Site of the 1587 Lost Colony; outdoor drama 'The Lost Colony' plays summer nights.
Bodie Island Lighthouse
Black-and-white banded tower with a marsh boardwalk; climbs in season.
Nearby in December
- Corolla in December~31 mi · highs 53°F, 3.9 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Ocracoke in December~62 mi · highs 60°F, 4.2 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Williamsburg in December~109 mi · highs 49°F, 3.7 in rain · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Richmond in December~148 mi · highs 49°F, 3.7 in rain · 4°C (6°F) cooler 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.
Nags Head in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Nags Head?
It's middling, scoring 64/100. The best months are April – June and October & November, at up to 80. Expect highs of 55°F (13°C) and 4.0 in (101 mm) of rain. Our Outer Banks Beach Road route recommends May – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Nags Head in December?
Average highs are 55°F (13°C) and average lows 48°F (9°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Nags Head in December?
Some: about 4.0 in (101 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 52.0 in (1320 mm).
What should I pack for Nags Head in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 55°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely), windproof shell (average wind 11 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Nags Head 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.