Early winter · Weather & things to do
Omaha in December
Omaha cools off: highs slip to 34°F (1°C), from 48°F in November, with lows of 19°F (-7°C) and about 1.4 in (36 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 49/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 34°F (1°C)
- Avg low
- 19°F (-7°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.4 in (36 mm)
- Humidity
- 83%
- Cloud cover
- 62%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 02 min
- Comfort score
- 49/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 34°F (1°C).
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 19°F (-7°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect about 1.4 in (36 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Only about 9 h 02 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are September & October.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 02 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 65/100 in November to 49/100.
- Our Kansas City to Omaha route recommends Apr – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 19°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Omaha in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Joslyn Art Museum
Free art museum in an Art Deco building with a recent glass-pavilion expansion.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 34°F.
Block 16
Downtown counter-service spot with creative burgers and daily specials.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 34°F.
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
S-curved bridge where you can stand with one foot in Nebraska and one in Iowa.
The Drover
Old-school steakhouse famous for whiskey-marinated steaks.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
The Durham Museum
History museum inside Omaha's Art Deco Union Station, with a working soda fountain.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Nearby in December
- Des Moines in December~122 mi · highs 35°F, 1.5 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Lawrence in December~162 mi · highs 41°F, 1.6 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Kansas City in December~165 mi · highs 41°F, 1.7 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Decorah in December~255 mi · highs 30°F, 1.7 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Downtown Omaha & the Old Market and Midtown Omaha.
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.
Omaha in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Omaha?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 49/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are September & October. Expect highs of 34°F (1°C) and 1.4 in (36 mm) of rain or snow. Our Kansas City to Omaha route recommends Apr – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Omaha in December?
Average highs are 34°F (1°C) and average lows 19°F (-7°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Omaha in December?
Not much: about 1.4 in (36 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 32.0 in (814 mm).
What should I pack for Omaha in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 19°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Omaha in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.