Early winter · Weather & things to do
Townsend in December
Townsend cools off: highs slip to 52°F (11°C), from 61°F in November, with lows of 34°F (1°C) and about 5.4 in (137 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 56/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cloud cover.
- Avg high
- 52°F (11°C)
- Avg low
- 34°F (1°C)
- Rain
- 5.4 in (137 mm)
- Humidity
- 83%
- Cloud cover
- 63%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 36 min
- Comfort score
- 56/100 · Fair
What December feels like
It's cool, with highs near 52°F (11°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 34°F (1°C).
Expect regular rain: about 5.4 in (137 mm) falls in the month.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April and October.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 36 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 80/100 in November to 56/100.
- Our Smokies Weekend route recommends Apr – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 52°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes5.4 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Townsend in December
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Peaceful Side Social
Brewery and food hall with a big lawn and mountain views.
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro
Lodge restaurant serving upscale Appalachian dishes.
Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center
Museum and historic buildings on Native American and pioneer life.
Burger Master Drive-In
Old-school drive-in for burgers and shakes after Cades Cove.
Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum
Small museum on the logging railroad that shaped the Smokies.
Nearby in December
- Knoxville in December~21 mi · highs 51°F, 4.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Cherokee in December~28 mi · highs 49°F, 5.3 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Asheville in December~68 mi · highs 48°F, 4.9 in rain · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Blowing Rock in December~121 mi · highs 42°F, 4.2 in rain or snow · 6°C (10°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~742 m to Townsend's ~342 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.
Townsend in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Townsend?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 56/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are April and October. Expect highs of 52°F (11°C) and 5.4 in (137 mm) of rain. Our Smokies Weekend route recommends Apr – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Townsend in December?
Average highs are 52°F (11°C) and average lows 34°F (1°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Townsend in December?
Yes: about 5.4 in (137 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 55.0 in (1396 mm).
What should I pack for Townsend in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 52°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (5.4 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Townsend 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.