Early winter · Weather & things to do
Portland in December
This is the coldest month in Portland: highs average 45°F (7°C) and lows 35°F (2°C), with about 9.9 in (251 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 26/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by rain.
- Avg high
- 45°F (7°C)
- Avg low
- 35°F (2°C)
- Rain
- 9.9 in (251 mm)
- Humidity
- 92%
- Cloud cover
- 81%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 32 min
- Comfort score
- 26/100 · Tough
What December feels like
It's cool, with highs near 45°F (7°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 35°F (2°C).
It's a very wet month, with around 9.9 in (251 mm) of rain, so keep plans flexible and have indoor backups ready.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 81%.
Daylight is short, roughly 8 h 32 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – September.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 32 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 43/100 in November to 26/100.
- Our Pacific Northwest route recommends Jun – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 45°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 Portland in December
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
International Rose Test Garden
Free garden of 10,000+ rose bushes with city and Mount Hood views.
Pine State Biscuits
Southern biscuit sandwiches; the Reggie Deluxe with fried chicken and gravy is the classic.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 9.9 in of rain.
Vista House at Crown Point
1918 stone observatory high above the Columbia River with the Gorge's signature view.
Powell's City of Books
A full city block of new and used books across color-coded rooms.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 9.9 in of rain.
Multnomah Whiskey Library
Leather-and-wood whiskey bar with 1,500+ bottles and a rolling cart service.
Why now Easy to slot in when December's rain moves in.
Nearby in December
- Cannon Beach in December~67 mi · highs 47°F, 11.4 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Astoria in December~72 mi · highs 47°F, 11.4 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Yachats in December~109 mi · highs 50°F, 10.5 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Snoqualmie Pass in December~145 mi · highs 33°F, 9.8 in rain or snow · 7°C (13°F) cooler by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Downtown Portland and Northwest Portland.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~257 m to Portland's ~21 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.
Portland in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Portland?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 26/100, held back mainly by rain. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 45°F (7°C) and 9.9 in (251 mm) of rain. Our Pacific Northwest route recommends Jun – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Portland in December?
Average highs are 45°F (7°C) and average lows 35°F (2°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Portland in December?
Yes: about 9.9 in (251 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 58.4 in (1484 mm).
What should I pack for Portland in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 45°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Portland
Planning Portland 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.