New York in December
In December, New York averages 7°C (45°F) during the day and 0°C (32°F) at night, with around 11 days of rain (102 mm total).
ShoulderConditions are cold — pack winter layers. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear. Snowfall occurs on roughly 3 days.
December in New York 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.).
How December compares to the rest of the year in New York
December is one of the coolest months in New York (10th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (6th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 10°C below the annual average (17°C). December runs 6°C cooler than November (13°C) and cools 3°C in January (4°C).
December sunrise & sunset in New York
Times shown for New York local time (America/New_York), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in New York — December
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in New York's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — New York 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 New York's popularity.
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.
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 New York
New York 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 New York
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.
🌨 Some snow — New York in December
Gear: Occasional snow, often slushy by afternoon. Waterproof boots, warm coat, hat and gloves.
Sea temperature in New York — December
Across the year New York's sea swings from 4.9°C (February) to 23.5°C (July) — December sits at 7.3°C.
New York in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C / 39°F | -3°C / 27°F | 84 mm | 11 | 4 |
| February | 6°C / 43°F | -2°C / 28°F | 78 mm | 10 | 3 |
| March | 11°C / 52°F | 2°C / 36°F | 109 mm | 11 | 2 |
| April | 17°C / 63°F | 7°C / 45°F | 105 mm | 11 | 0 |
| May | 22°C / 72°F | 13°C / 55°F | 102 mm | 11 | 0 |
| June | 27°C / 81°F | 18°C / 64°F | 99 mm | 10 | 0 |
| July | 30°C / 86°F | 21°C / 70°F | 117 mm | 11 | 0 |
| August | 29°C / 84°F | 21°C / 70°F | 113 mm | 10 | 0 |
| September | 25°C / 77°F | 17°C / 63°F | 99 mm | 9 | 0 |
| October | 18°C / 64°F | 11°C / 52°F | 102 mm | 9 | 0 |
| November | 13°C / 55°F | 6°C / 43°F | 96 mm | 10 | 1 |
| December | 7°C / 45°F | 0°C / 32°F | 102 mm | 11 | 3 |
Other cities with similar December weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for New York in December →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is New York in December?
In December, New York averages a high of 7°C (45°F) and a low of 0°C (32°F) — generally cold.
Does it rain a lot in New York in December?
December can be fairly wet in New York, with about 11 rainy days on average and roughly 3 snow days.
Is December a good time to visit New York?
December is cold. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cold weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.
What should I pack for New York in December?
Pack heavy winter layers, a coat, hat and gloves, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full December packing list for New York for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.