Monthly climate guide
New York weather in December
December in New York is typically cold, with average daytime highs around 7°C (45°F) and night-time lows near 3°C (37°F). The month usually brings about 155 mm of rain (very wet) and is often cloudy. Daytime highs are 4°C cooler than November and 4°C warmer than January.
What stands out in December
- It's one of the greyest months, with cloud cover near 67%.
- Days and nights are close, only about 5°C apart.
- Seasonally, December counts as early winter in New York.
- New York is usually about 3°C warmer than Boston, 310 km away, in December.
It's usually the wettest month of the year.
Avg high
7°C
45°F
Avg low
3°C
37°F
Rainfall
155 mm
very wet
Humidity
83%
relative
Sky
67%
cloud · often cloudy
New York weather by month
Show the monthly averages as a table
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Humidity | Cloud cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C / 38°F | -1°C / 29°F | 124 mm | 82% | 61% |
| February | 4°C / 40°F | -1°C / 30°F | 116 mm | 82% | 63% |
| March | 7°C / 44°F | 2°C / 35°F | 117 mm | 80% | 59% |
| April | 12°C / 53°F | 6°C / 43°F | 109 mm | 82% | 63% |
| May | 17°C / 63°F | 12°C / 53°F | 118 mm | 85% | 65% |
| June | 22°C / 72°F | 17°C / 63°F | 110 mm | 83% | 58% |
| July | 27°C / 80°F | 22°C / 71°F | 133 mm | 80% | 55% |
| August | 26°C / 79°F | 21°C / 70°F | 135 mm | 78% | 53% |
| September | 23°C / 74°F | 18°C / 65°F | 92 mm | 78% | 54% |
| October | 18°C / 64°F | 13°C / 55°F | 126 mm | 78% | 57% |
| November | 12°C / 53°F | 6°C / 43°F | 117 mm | 79% | 55% |
| December | 7°C / 45°F | 3°C / 37°F | 155 mm | 83% | 67% |
What to pack for December
- A proper insulated winter coat
- A hat, scarf and gloves
- A compact umbrella or packable rain jacket
- Water-resistant shoes
Is December a good time to visit New York?
Our New York guide recommends: April to June or September to November, avoiding the humid peak of summer and the coldest weeks of winter.
Get a 7-day unlimited MetroCard (or use contactless tap) if you're staying more than a couple of days — it's far cheaper than single rides.
Best time to visit New York →Other United States cities in December
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New York weather in December. WeatherCompare, 2026 (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020 monthly averages). https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/new-york/december
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/new-york/december">New York weather in December</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/usa/new-york" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="New York weather in December"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/new-york/december">New York weather in December</a> – WeatherCompare</p>
New York in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit New York?
December is cool in New York, with highs around 7°C. Better for museums and city walks than the beach, and usually quieter.
How warm is New York in December?
Average highs are about 7°C (45°F) and average lows about 3°C (37°F), based on 10 years of daily data.
Does it rain a lot in New York in December?
New York typically gets around 155 mm of rain in December — very wet. It's usually the wettest month of the year.
When is the best time to visit New York?
April to June or September to November, avoiding the humid peak of summer and the coldest weeks of winter.
Figures are long-term averages for the area around New York (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020), not a forecast for a specific year. For upcoming days, see the live multi-source forecast.