Early winter · Weather & things to do
Shenandoah in December
Shenandoah cools off: highs slip to 38°F (3°C), from 49°F in November, with lows of 22°F (-6°C) and about 3.0 in (77 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 45/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 38°F (3°C)
- Avg low
- 22°F (-6°C)
- Rain or snow
- 3.0 in (77 mm)
- Humidity
- 84%
- Cloud cover
- 62%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 21 min
- Comfort score
- 45/100 · Fair
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 38°F (3°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Average lows of 22°F (-6°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Expect about 3.0 in (77 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 21 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May – October.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 21 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 62/100 in November to 45/100.
- Our Blue Ridge Parkway Slow Drive recommends May – 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 3.0 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Shenandoah in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Blue Mountain Brewery
Farm brewery with hop fields and mountain views near Afton.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 38°F.
Crozet Pizza
Wood-fired pizza in a small-town spot running since 1977.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Humpback Rocks
Steep 1-mile climb to rocky outcrops near the Parkway's northern start, plus a restored farm.
Dark Hollow Falls Trail
Short, steep hike to a 70-foot cascade near Big Meadows.
Luray Caverns
Large show cave with stalactites and the Great Stalacpipe Organ.
Nearby in December
- Richmond in December~85 mi · highs 49°F, 3.7 in rain · 6°C (11°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Washington, DC in December~98 mi · highs 45°F, 3.7 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Williamsburg in December~129 mi · highs 49°F, 3.7 in rain · 6°C (12°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Baltimore in December~131 mi · highs 43°F, 3.8 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~485 m to Shenandoah's ~787 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.
Shenandoah in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Shenandoah?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 45/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May – October. Expect highs of 38°F (3°C) and 3.0 in (77 mm) of rain or snow. Our Blue Ridge Parkway Slow Drive recommends May – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Shenandoah in December?
Average highs are 38°F (3°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 Shenandoah in December?
Some: about 3.0 in (77 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 41.4 in (1051 mm).
What should I pack for Shenandoah 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 3.0 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Shenandoah
Planning Shenandoah 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.