Yellowstone Weather in December 2026: what to expect (0.8/10)

The month in detail

What to expect in December

Winter in Yellowstone is cool (-5.0°C during the day). Days are short (3.5h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Expect rain on 42.0% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.

December ranks 11 out of 12 months in Yellowstone. Compared to November: −4°C daytime, −1.2h of sun per day.

This month's conditions

What it's like in December

UV index

2 · low

no protection needed

Feels like

dry air

-11°

Daylight

8.7h of daylight

Air quality

good

AQI 38

Compare

Is December the right month?

The best month in Yellowstone is July (8.1/10), 7.3 pts higher than December.

See July →See all 12 months →

Context

Our verdict

Yellowstone, the 1st national park in the world (created 1872): 9000 km² in Wyoming-Montana-Idaho (USA), sitting on a dormant super-volcano, unique geothermal landscapes (geysers, coloured hot springs, fumaroles).

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

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Stay

Hotels & rentals · Yellowstone

Expedia →

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Activities

Tours, tickets, experiences

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Flights

Multi-airline comparator

Kiwi →

🎟️ Activities & tours · Yellowstone

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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Affiliate link · GetYourGuide

Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.

Country · USA

🗣️LanguageEnglish

💶CurrencyUS Dollar ($)

🚗DrivingRight-hand

🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5

💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate

📈Climate trend ⓘStable

🔥Hottest monthJuly · 22°C

❄️Coolest monthJanuary · -6°C

🌧️Rainiest month ⓘFebruary · 50%

🏛️ City break

📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August

☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round

🚇Public transportGood

Explore

Other destinations in December

If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate

KillingtonUnited States

Nearby

Jackson HoleUnited States107 km

Sun ValleyUnited States311 km

Park CityUnited States427 km

Steamboat SpringsUnited States537 km

Other top picks

🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map

Location

Where is Yellowstone ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World

🔍 Geographic context

USA

Temperate climate with a 8.1 → 0.7 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.

44.43°N · 110.59°W

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Yellowstone?

July is the best month with 22.0°C highs, 8.0°C lows, 9.1h of sunshine and 28.0% rainy days. The months of July & August offer comparable conditions.

How many hours of sunshine does Yellowstone get in July?

Yellowstone averages 9.1 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.6/10.

What is the rainiest month in Yellowstone?

February is the most unfavourable month with February has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.

What are the temperatures at night in Yellowstone in July?

In July, overnight lows reach 8.0°C, while afternoon highs average 22.0°C.

Is Yellowstone good in winter?

In winter (December-February), Yellowstone scores 0.8/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 7.6/10.

When should you avoid Yellowstone?

February is the most difficult month to visit Yellowstone, with February has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.

Do you need sun protection in Yellowstone in December?

The average UV index reaches 2 in December in Yellowstone (low), with about 8.7h of daylight. No protection needed.