Early winter · Weather & things to do
New York City in December
The year's rain peaks now, with about 5.2 in (133 mm) falling in New York City, alongside highs near 44°F (7°C) and lows of 36°F (2°C).
With a comfort score of 45/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 44°F (7°C)
- Avg low
- 36°F (2°C)
- Rain
- 5.2 in (133 mm)
- Humidity
- 82%
- Cloud cover
- 63%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 06 min
- Comfort score
- 45/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Afternoons only reach about 44°F (7°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights cool to an average low of 36°F (2°C).
Expect regular rain: about 5.2 in (133 mm) falls in the month.
It's breezy, with average winds near 11 mph (5.0 m/s) at ground level.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 06 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May and July – October.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, October – December.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 06 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 65/100 in November to 45/100.
- Our Hudson Valley by Rail route recommends Apr – Nov, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 44°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes5.2 in of rain on average
- Windproof shellaverage wind 11 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in New York City in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
The Met Cloisters
Medieval art in reassembled monastery cloisters above the Hudson.
Chelsea Market
Food hall in the old Nabisco factory at the High Line's south end.
The High Line
Elevated rail-line park with gardens and Hudson River views.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Vast art museum on Central Park; the rooftop garden opens in summer.
The Campbell
Restored 1920s office of a tycoon, now a cocktail bar inside Grand Central.
Nearby in December
- Manhattan in December~5 mi · highs 42°F, 4.6 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, drier
- Beacon in December~55 mi · highs 40°F, 4.3 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, drier
- Philadelphia in December~81 mi · highs 44°F, 4.4 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Hudson in December~107 mi · highs 37°F, 4.1 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) cooler by day, drier
These averages also cover Brooklyn, DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights and Midtown Manhattan.
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.
New York City in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit New York City?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 45/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May and July – October. Expect highs of 44°F (7°C) and 5.2 in (133 mm) of rain. Our Hudson Valley by Rail route recommends Apr – Nov, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is New York City in December?
Average highs are 44°F (7°C) and average lows 36°F (2°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in New York City in December?
Yes: about 5.2 in (133 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 51.7 in (1313 mm).
What should I pack for New York City in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 44°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (5.2 in of rain on average), windproof shell (average wind 11 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on New York City
Planning New York City 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.