Early winter · Weather & things to do
Traverse City in December
Traverse City cools off: highs slip to 34°F (1°C), from 44°F in November, with lows of 28°F (-2°C) and about 2.6 in (65 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 40/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 34°F (1°C)
- Avg low
- 28°F (-2°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.6 in (65 mm)
- Humidity
- 86%
- Cloud cover
- 82%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 37 min
- Comfort score
- 40/100 · Tough
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 34°F (1°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 28°F (-2°C), so expect frost and ice.
About 2.6 in (65 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 82%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 13 mph (5.6 m/s) at ground level.
Only about 8 h 37 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – September.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 28°F.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 37 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 47/100 in November to 40/100.
- Our Great Lakes Hidden Gems route recommends May – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 28°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 2.6 in of rain or snow
- Windproof shellaverage wind 13 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Traverse City in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Chateau Chantal
Hilltop winery-inn with views over both bays.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 34°F.
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
Seven-mile loop through the dunes with overlooks 450 ft above Lake Michigan.
Sleder's Family Tavern
Michigan's oldest continuously operating tavern (1882), with burgers and a mahogany bar.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Dune Climb
Climb a huge sand dune; the full hike to Lake Michigan is 3.5 miles round trip.
Moomers Homemade Ice Cream
Farm ice-cream shop overlooking pastures, with dozens of flavors.
Why now A cozy break on a 34°F day.
Nearby in December
- Sleeping Bear Dunes in December~21 mi · highs 35°F, 2.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Door County in December~79 mi · highs 31°F, 2.1 in rain or snow · 1°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Mackinac Island in December~89 mi · highs 31°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Frankenmuth in December~136 mi · highs 34°F, 2.2 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
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.
Traverse City in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Traverse City?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 40/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 34°F (1°C) and 2.6 in (65 mm) of rain or snow. Our Great Lakes Hidden Gems route recommends May – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Traverse City in December?
Average highs are 34°F (1°C) and average lows 28°F (-2°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Traverse City in December?
Some: about 2.6 in (65 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 34.3 in (872 mm).
What should I pack for Traverse City in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 28°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 2.6 in of rain or snow), windproof shell (average wind 13 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Traverse City
Planning Traverse City 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.