Early winter · Weather & things to do
Springfield in December
Springfield cools off: highs slip to 44°F (7°C), from 56°F in November, with lows of 26°F (-3°C) and about 2.8 in (71 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 52/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 44°F (7°C)
- Avg low
- 26°F (-3°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.8 in (71 mm)
- Humidity
- 83%
- Cloud cover
- 60%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 27 min
- Comfort score
- 52/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Afternoons only reach about 44°F (7°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 26°F (-3°C), so expect frost and ice.
About 2.8 in (71 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with lows well below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 27 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are September & October.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 26°F.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 27 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 73/100 in November to 52/100.
- Our Ozarks Hidden Gems route recommends Apr – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 44°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 26°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 2.8 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Springfield in December
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
Huge aquarium and wildlife galleries built around Ozarks and ocean habitats.
Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World
The original Bass Pro flagship, with aquariums and taxidermy, attached to the museum.
Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden
7.5-acre Japanese garden with koi ponds and a moon bridge.
Fantastic Caverns
Ride-through cave tour by jeep-drawn tram, open year-round.
Lambert's Cafe
Ozark outpost of the home of 'throwed rolls,' tossed across the dining room.
Nearby in December
- Branson in December~39 mi · highs 47°F, 3.0 in rain · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Eureka Springs in December~61 mi · highs 46°F, 2.8 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Kansas City in December~148 mi · highs 41°F, 1.7 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, drier
- Lawrence in December~161 mi · highs 41°F, 1.6 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, drier
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.
Springfield in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Springfield?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 52/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are September & October. Expect highs of 44°F (7°C) and 2.8 in (71 mm) of rain or snow. Our Ozarks Hidden Gems route recommends Apr – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Springfield in December?
Average highs are 44°F (7°C) and average lows 26°F (-3°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Springfield in December?
Some: about 2.8 in (71 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 47.8 in (1214 mm).
What should I pack for Springfield in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 44°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 26°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 2.8 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Springfield
Planning Springfield in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.