Early winter · Weather & things to do
Snoqualmie Pass in December
This is the coldest month in Snoqualmie Pass: highs average 33°F (0°C) and lows 23°F (-5°C), with about 9.8 in (249 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 20/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 33°F (0°C)
- Avg low
- 23°F (-5°C)
- Rain or snow
- 9.8 in (249 mm)
- Humidity
- 97%
- Cloud cover
- 76%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 16 min
- Comfort score
- 20/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 33°F (0°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 23°F (-5°C), so expect frost and ice.
About 9.8 in (249 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 76%.
Only about 8 h 16 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are July – September.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 16 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (20 → 20/100).
- Our Seattle, Snoqualmie Pass & Leavenworth route is planned for Late Nov – Dec, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — December is part of it.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 23°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 9.8 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Snoqualmie Pass in December
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Twede's Cafe
North Bend diner that played the Double R in Twin Peaks, still serving cherry pie and coffee under Mount Si.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 9.8 in of rain.
The Summit at Snoqualmie
Four ski areas at the top of I-90, the closest skiing to Seattle, with one of the largest night-skiing operations in the country.
Northwest Railway Museum
Railway museum based in the 1890 Snoqualmie Depot, running its Santa Train to the falls on December weekends.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 9.8 in of rain.
Gold Creek Pond
Flat snowshoe loop around a mountain pond on the east side of the pass, reached from the Gold Creek Sno-Park.
Nearby in December
- Leavenworth in December~37 mi · highs 37°F, 4.9 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, drier
- Seattle in December~45 mi · highs 44°F, 6.9 in rain · 7°C (12°F) warmer by day, drier
- Bainbridge Island in December~54 mi · highs 44°F, 6.9 in rain · 7°C (12°F) warmer by day, drier
- Olympic NP in December~105 mi · highs 31°F, 10.6 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,198 m to Snoqualmie Pass's ~923 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.
Snoqualmie Pass in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Snoqualmie Pass?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 20/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are July – September. Expect highs of 33°F (0°C) and 9.8 in (249 mm) of rain or snow.
How cold is Snoqualmie Pass in December?
Average highs are 33°F (0°C) and average lows 23°F (-5°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Snoqualmie Pass in December?
Yes: about 9.8 in (249 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 69.4 in (1764 mm).
What should I pack for Snoqualmie Pass in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 23°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 9.8 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Snoqualmie Pass
Routes in season in December
- Seattle, Snoqualmie Pass & Leavenworth Late Nov – Dec
Planning Snoqualmie Pass 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.