Early winter · Weather & things to do
New Hampshire in December
New Hampshire cools off: highs slip to 36°F (2°C), from 47°F in November, with lows of 22°F (-6°C) and about 4.2 in (106 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 39/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 36°F (2°C)
- Avg low
- 22°F (-6°C)
- Rain or snow
- 4.2 in (106 mm)
- Humidity
- 88%
- Cloud cover
- 68%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 49 min
- Comfort score
- 39/100 · Tough
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 36°F (2°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 22°F (-6°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect about 4.2 in (106 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Only about 8 h 49 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May and September.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, October – December.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 49 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 55/100 in November to 39/100.
- Our New England Fall Foliage route recommends Sep – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 22°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 4.2 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in New Hampshire in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewing Co.
Barbecue and house beers in North Conway at the east end of the Kancamagus.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 36°F.
Sabbaday Falls
Easy 0.7-mile walk to a tiered waterfall in a narrow flume off the Kancamagus.
Artist's Bluff
Short, steep hike to a ledge over Echo Lake and the notch, a classic foliage photo spot.
Polly's Pancake Parlor
Family-run since 1938, serving pancakes from house-ground flours with mountain views.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Loon Mountain Scenic Gondola
12-minute gondola up Loon Peak with an observation tower over 24 of NH's 4,000-footers.
Nearby in December
- Portsmouth in December~42 mi · highs 40°F, 5.7 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Woodstock in December~56 mi · highs 33°F, 3.7 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Boston in December~63 mi · highs 39°F, 4.6 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Portland, Maine in December~73 mi · highs 40°F, 5.6 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~259 m to New Hampshire's ~91 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
New Hampshire in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit New Hampshire?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 39/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May and September. Expect highs of 36°F (2°C) and 4.2 in (106 mm) of rain or snow. Our New England Fall Foliage route recommends Sep – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is New Hampshire in December?
Average highs are 36°F (2°C) and average lows 22°F (-6°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in New Hampshire in December?
Some: about 4.2 in (106 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 45.4 in (1153 mm).
What should I pack for New Hampshire in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 22°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 4.2 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on New Hampshire
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