Early winter · Weather & things to do
Stowe in December
Stowe cools off: highs slip to 30°F (-1°C), from 42°F in November, with lows of 17°F (-8°C) and about 3.7 in (93 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 37/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Avg low
- 17°F (-8°C)
- Rain or snow
- 3.7 in (93 mm)
- Humidity
- 94%
- Cloud cover
- 81%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 40 min
- Comfort score
- 37/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 30°F (-1°C).
Average lows of 17°F (-8°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 3.7 in (93 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 81%.
Only about 8 h 40 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are September.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 40 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 42/100 in November to 37/100.
- December sits inside the Dec – Mar window our Stowe, Woodstock & the White Mountains route recommends.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 17°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 3.7 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Stowe in December
With highs near 30°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Stowe Mountain Resort
Ski resort on Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, and Spruce Peak, with a gondola and a skating rink at the Spruce Peak village.
von Trapp Brewing Bierhall
The family's Austrian-style lager brewery and beer hall below the lodge, serving schnitzel, sausages and pretzels.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 30°F.
Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum
Small museum in Stowe's 1818 former town meeting hall covering Vermont's ski history, from rope tows to Olympians.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 30°F.
Stowe Recreation Path
Paved 5.3-mile path along the West Branch river from the village toward the mountain, used for walking and snowshoeing in winter.
Nearby in December
- Vermont in December~8 mi · highs 30°F, 3.7 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Woodstock in December~59 mi · highs 33°F, 3.7 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- White Mountains in December~70 mi · highs 11°F, 4.1 in rain or snow · 11°C (19°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Montréal in December~84 mi · highs 28°F, 3.9 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~394 m to Stowe's ~220 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.
Stowe in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Stowe?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 37/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are September. Expect highs of 30°F (-1°C) and 3.7 in (93 mm) of rain or snow. December is inside the Dec – Mar window our Stowe, Woodstock & the White Mountains route recommends.
How cold is Stowe in December?
Average highs are 30°F (-1°C) and average lows 17°F (-8°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Stowe in December?
Some: about 3.7 in (93 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 45.3 in (1150 mm).
What should I pack for Stowe in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 17°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 3.7 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Routes in season in December
- Stowe, Woodstock & the White Mountains Dec – Mar
Planning Stowe in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.