Early winter · Weather & things to do
White Mountains in December
White Mountains cools off: highs slip to 11°F (-12°C), from 22°F in November, with lows of -3°F (-19°C) and about 4.1 in (103 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 37/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 11°F (-12°C)
- Avg low
- -3°F (-19°C)
- Rain or snow
- 4.1 in (103 mm)
- Humidity
- 94%
- Cloud cover
- 78%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 41 min
- Comfort score
- 37/100 · Tough
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 11°F (-12°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Average lows of -3°F (-19°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Expect about 4.1 in (103 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 78%.
Daylight is short, roughly 8 h 41 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are July & August.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 41 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (39 → 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 -3°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 4.1 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in White Mountains in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Mount Washington Cog Railway
The world's first mountain-climbing cog railway, from 1869; winter trains climb partway up to Waumbek Station.
Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing
Brewpub on the main road into North Conway, serving smoked barbecue with its own beers.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 11°F.
Jackson XC
Nonprofit cross-country ski center with a large groomed trail network running right through Jackson village.
Honeymoon Bridge
Red 1876 covered bridge over the Ellis River that serves as the entrance to Jackson village.
Crawford Notch State Park
Steep mountain pass carrying US-302 between granite walls, with frozen waterfalls and snowshoe trails in winter.
Nearby in December
- Vermont in December~66 mi · highs 30°F, 3.7 in rain or snow · 11°C (19°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Portland, Maine in December~67 mi · highs 40°F, 5.6 in rain · 16°C (29°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Stowe in December~70 mi · highs 30°F, 3.7 in rain or snow · 11°C (19°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Woodstock in December~75 mi · highs 33°F, 3.7 in rain or snow · 12°C (22°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~488 m to White Mountains's ~1,891 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.
White Mountains in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit White Mountains?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 37/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are July & August. Expect highs of 11°F (-12°C) and 4.1 in (103 mm) of rain or snow. December is inside the Dec – Mar window our Stowe, Woodstock & the White Mountains route recommends.
How cold is White Mountains in December?
Average highs are 11°F (-12°C) and average lows -3°F (-19°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in White Mountains in December?
Some: about 4.1 in (103 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 47.3 in (1201 mm).
What should I pack for White Mountains in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around -3°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 4.1 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on White Mountains
Routes in season in December
- Stowe, Woodstock & the White Mountains Dec – Mar
Planning White Mountains in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.