Weather in New York in December

How December compares

December is the 10th warmest month of the year in New York and ranks 130th of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Within United States it is 6th of 6 (United States in December). Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, New York is 1.7°C cooler by day and 3.9°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in New York peaks at 6.0°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 12.6°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average -1.2°C; one night in ten drops to -6.6°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 22.0°C (1998-12-07) and the coldest night -15.0°C (2005-12-14).

Rain in December

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 10 days with 1 mm or more, 101 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 1996 with 176 mm, the driest 1998 with 24 mm. Humidity averages 72%.

Sea temperature in December

The sea averages 8.0°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 6.8°C to 9.2°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (23.1°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 3.7 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.1 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:13 and sets about 16:29 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 59%.

Is December a good time to visit New York?

December is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for New York on our scoring are August, July, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug.

Pack for colder evenings, not just cool afternoons

The daytime average sounds manageable, but it is the colder spells and evenings that should shape your packing. The coldest 10% of nights fall to around -7°C or below, so a warm coat, gloves, a hat and layers are sensible rather than optional extras. Milder weather does happen: the warmest 10% of days reach around 13°C or more. That makes removable layers more useful than relying on a heavy coat over light clothing. Put longer outdoor stretches into the warmer part of the day and leave room to head indoors when you get cold. December suits travellers who accept that weather will influence the pace of the trip.

Keep wet-weather options and use the daylight

Rain is a meaningful catch, not a reason to write off the month. About 10 rainy days means waterproof outerwear and shoes that cope with wet conditions deserve space in your luggage. It does not mean every day will be wet, so keep outdoor plans movable rather than assuming the whole trip belongs indoors. Daylight is limited to about 9.1 hours, with around 3.7 hours of sunshine, making an early start useful when the forecast looks favourable. Save flexible indoor plans for wetter periods and after dark. If your preferred holiday involves being outside from morning until evening, December asks for more compromise than a warmer month.