Bozeman

Rocky Mountains Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in the Rocky Mountains, the United States of America in December.

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Breckenridge Park City Estes Park Aspen

Considering a trip to the Rocky Mountains, the United States of America this December and wondering about the expected weather conditions? Find all the crucial information you need right here, addressing your question:

What to Expect in the Rocky Mountains in December

The Rocky Mountains, the United States of America is a region in the United States of America. December in the Rocky Mountains generally has temperatures that range from very cold to cold, with precipitation levels ranging from low to moderate. The month of December is in the winter season.

Temperatures

During the day the temperature is very cold in Big Sky at -3°C (27°F) and cold in Estes Park at 2°C (36°F). As night falls, temperatures generally drop to -8°C (18°F) in Estes Park and -13°C (9°F) in Big Sky. Typically, it's the chilliest month of the year. Making it a great time for staying indoors and enjoying the warmth. Make sure you're prepared by packing the right winter outfits.

To explore the conditions in the Rocky Mountains, the United States of America in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From low snow/rainfall in Estes Park with an average of 28 mm (1.1 in) to moderate snow/rainfall in Sun Valley with 80 mm (3.1 in).

Explore the Rocky Mountains by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in the Rocky Mountains — and find the best time to visit. (based on Breckenridge)

January-1°C (30°F) February-1°C (30°F) March4°C (39°F) April7°C (45°F) May12°C (54°F) June19°C (66°F) This monthJuly21°C (70°F) August20°C (68°F) September17°C (63°F) October10°C (50°F) November4°C (39°F) December-1°C (30°F)
Best Time to Visit the Rocky Mountains →

Best Places to Visit in the Rocky Mountains in December

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across the Rocky Mountains.

Conditions Temperatures Precipitation
perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in the Rocky Mountains

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in the Rocky Mountains, the United States of America?

Temperature range in the Rocky Mountains (December)

Precipitation variation in the Rocky Mountains (December)

Breckenridge

In December Breckenridge generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -1°C (30°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -13°C (9°F) and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
4°C (39°F)
-1°C (30°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Min temperature
-9°C (16°F)
-13°C (9°F)
-14°C (7°F)
Monthly snowfall
34 mm (1.3 in)
46 mm (1.8 in)
47 mm (1.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
11 days
16 days
16 days
Weather conditions
poor
poor
poor
Climate in Breckenridge →

Park City

In December Park City generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 0°C (32°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -9°C (16°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
6°C (43°F)
0°C (32°F)
1°C (34°F)
Min temperature
-4°C (25°F)
-9°C (16°F)
-9°C (16°F)
Monthly sun hours
152 hours
110 hours
125 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
52 mm (2 in)
78 mm (3.1 in)
69 mm (2.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
18 days
16 days
Weather conditions
poor
poor
poor
Climate in Park City →

Estes Park

In December Estes Park generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 2°C (36°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -8°C (18°F) and low monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
8°C (46°F)
2°C (36°F)
3°C (37°F)
Min temperature
-3°C (27°F)
-8°C (18°F)
-8°C (18°F)
Monthly snow/rainfall
13 mm (0.5 in)
28 mm (1.1 in)
13 mm (0.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
6 days
9 days
7 days
Weather conditions
unpleasant
poor
poor
Climate in Estes Park →

Aspen

In December Aspen generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 0°C (32°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -12°C (10°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
6°C (43°F)
0°C (32°F)
0°C (32°F)
Min temperature
-7°C (19°F)
-12°C (10°F)
-13°C (9°F)
Monthly snow/rainfall
47 mm (1.9 in)
71 mm (2.8 in)
60 mm (2.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
11 days
17 days
16 days
Weather conditions
poor
poor
poor
Climate in Aspen →

Bozeman

In December Bozeman generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 1°C (34°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -10°C (14°F) and low monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
6°C (43°F)
1°C (34°F)
2°C (36°F)
Min temperature
-5°C (23°F)
-10°C (14°F)
-9°C (16°F)
Monthly snow/rainfall
36 mm (1.4 in)
30 mm (1.2 in)
17 mm (0.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
10 days
8 days
Weather conditions
poor
poor
poor
Climate in Bozeman →

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in the Rocky Mountains, in the United States of America.

Popular cities in December

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in the Rocky Mountains in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Breckenridge -1°C (30°F) -13°C (9°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Park City 0°C (32°F) -9°C (16°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Estes Park 2°C (36°F) -8°C (18°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Aspen 0°C (32°F) -12°C (10°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Bozeman 1°C (34°F) -10°C (14°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Vail -2°C (28°F) -12°C (10°F) 75 mm (3 in)

The Rocky Mountains weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in the Rocky Mountains, the United States of America in December?

December in the Rocky Mountains, the United States of America brings poor weather. In Breckenridge, daytime temperatures are typically around -1°C (30°F) and nighttime lows hover near -13°C (9°F).

What is the average temperature in the Rocky Mountains, the United States of America in December?

Average temperatures in the Rocky Mountains, the United States of America during December range from a nighttime low near -13°C (9°F) to a daytime high around -1°C (30°F) in Breckenridge.

Does the Rocky Mountains, the United States of America get a lot of snow in December?

Rain is generally moderate to light in the Rocky Mountains, the United States of America during December, with Breckenridge averaging close to 46 mm (1.8 in).

Is December a Good Time to Visit the Rocky Mountains, the United States of America?

In our view, December might not be the best time to travel to the Rocky Mountains, the United States of America with often poor weather in Breckenridge.

On average, the best time to visit the Rocky Mountains, the United States of America is in June, July and August with generally perfect weather in Breckenridge. On the other hand, the months of January, February, March, April, October, November and December tend to have poor weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in the Rocky Mountains.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to the United States of America? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in the United States of America.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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