New York · WinterMonth summary
New York weather in December
⚠️ Fair
🌡️ Temperature min / max
-1°C – 6°C
🌧 Rainy days
33% of days
☀️ Sunshine
6.9h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Winter
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
4.0/10
📅 📅 Best month
June (8.3/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit New York in December?
⚠️ Fair
✅ Yes if: you enjoy winter atmosphere and the lowest prices of the year.
❌ No if: you're looking for sunshine or outdoor activities.
Our take: New York in December: 33% rain, 6.9h of sunshine. Better to wait for June.
By trip type
New York in December by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ⚠️ Possible
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ❌ Not recommended
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : ❌ Not recommended
- 💰 💰 Budget : ✅ Low season
Local context
What to expect in December
🎯 Rockefeller Center tree and ice rink — magical Christmas atmosphere in Manhattan Winter in New York is cool (6°C during the day). Days are short (6.9h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Expect rain on 33% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
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Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rain % | Precip mm | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌨️ January | -3°C | 4°C | 31% | 2.9 | 7.3h | 4.0/10 |
| 🌦️ February | -2°C | 6°C | 35% | 3.3 | 8.1h | 4.1/10 |
| 🌫️ March | 1°C | 10°C | 33% | 3.9 | 9.8h | 5.1/10 |
| 🌦️ April | 6°C | 15°C | 41% | 3.6 | 10.2h | 6.4/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 11°C | 21°C | 41% | 3.6 | 11.5h | 7.4/10 |
| 🌤️ June | 17°C | 26°C | 36% | 2.9 | 13.0h | 8.3/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 21°C | 30°C | 44% | 4.6 | 13.0h | 7.8/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 20°C | 28°C | 40% | 3.7 | 12.0h | 8.2/10 |
| 🌤️ September | 16°C | 25°C | 34% | 4.1 | 10.8h | 7.8/10 |
| 🌤️ October | 11°C | 19°C | 29% | 4.2 | 9.4h | 7.2/10 |
| ⛅ November | 3°C | 12°C | 29% | 2.6 | 8.4h | 5.5/10 |
| 🌫️ December | -1°C | 6°C | 33% | 3.6 | 6.9h | 4.0/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In December, New York averages 6°C, 33% rainy days and 6.9h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 4.0/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
December vs June (best month)
The best month is June (score 8.3/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +20°C
- 🌧 Rainy days : +3%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +6.1h/day
FAQ
FAQ — New York in December
Is December a good time to visit New York?
December is not recommended for New York (score 4.0/10). With 33% rainy days and 6.9h of sunshine, consider June (8.3/10) instead.
What's the weather like in New York in December?
It's cool with 6°C daytime and -1°C at night. 6.9h of sunshine per day. Pack warm clothes and favour indoor visits.
Accommodation
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