Memphis in December

In December, Memphis averages 13°C (55°F) during the day and 4°C (40°F) at night, with around 11 days of rain (136 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

December in Memphis is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

13°C
Avg high
4°C
Avg low
11
Rain days
136 mm
Rainfall

How December compares to the rest of the year in Memphis

10th
warmest month of the 12
8th
wettest month of the 12
10%
of yearly rainfall falls in December
9 h 48 min
daylight on the 15th

December is one of the coolest months in Memphis (10th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (8th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 9°C below the annual average (22°C). December runs 3°C cooler than November (16°C) and cools 3°C in January (10°C).

December sunrise & sunset in Memphis

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:01 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
4:49 PM
Day length
9 h 48 min

Times shown for Memphis local time (America/Chicago), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Memphis — December

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in Memphis's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:01 AM – 6:41 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:41 AM – 7:41 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:09 PM – 5:09 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:09 PM – 5:49 PM

📅 When to book — Memphis in December

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on December's tier (Shoulder) and Memphis's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

December in United States — events that affect travel

Known cultural, religious, or national events that surge prices, fill hotels, or close businesses during this month. Plan around them, or build your itinerary around the ones you'd like to see.

🎄
US Christmas/New Year Window
Travel surge · high impact

Major travel surge plus widespread Dec 24-26 and Jan 1 business closures.

Plan: Book flights and hotels well ahead; expect many restaurants/shops closed Dec 25 and Jan 1.

Crowds & pricing — December in Memphis

Shoulder

Memphis is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: Christmas / New Year travel surge

Sun & mosquito risk — December in Memphis

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
5.6
Moderate
Use SPF 15-30 for prolonged outdoor exposure; sunglasses recommended at peak hours.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●○○○○
Minimal
Occasional mosquitoes possible near standing water. Repellent rarely needed.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Memphis in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 10°C / 50°F 1°C / 34°F 106 mm 9
February 12°C / 54°F 3°C / 37°F 150 mm 12
March 17°C / 63°F 7°C / 45°F 174 mm 13
April 22°C / 71°F 11°C / 52°F 131 mm 11
May 27°C / 80°F 17°C / 62°F 106 mm 12
June 31°C / 87°F 21°C / 70°F 102 mm 11
July 32°C / 90°F 23°C / 74°F 92 mm 12
August 31°C / 88°F 23°C / 73°F 98 mm 12
September 30°C / 85°F 20°C / 67°F 59 mm 7
October 24°C / 75°F 14°C / 57°F 100 mm 9
November 16°C / 61°F 7°C / 44°F 92 mm 9
December 13°C / 55°F 4°C / 40°F 136 mm 11

Other cities with similar December weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Memphis in December →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Memphis in December?

In December, Memphis averages a high of 13°C (55°F) and a low of 4°C (40°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Memphis in December?

December can be fairly wet in Memphis, with about 11 rainy days on average.

Is December a good time to visit Memphis?

December is cool. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Memphis in December?

Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full December packing list for Memphis for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Memphis on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.