SeasonMapReno weather in December
United States
December in Reno: cold, rainy, with clean air — a fair time to visit.
#12 of 12 months in Reno · #1105 of 1383 destinations to visit in December · comfort 51/100 (tier D)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Reno in December
No notes yet. Open Reno on the map to add the first one.
Reno climate normals — December
| Daytime high | 6°C / 43°F | 🧥 cold |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | -1°C / 29°F | |
| Rainfall | 97 mm / 3.8 in | 🌧 rainy |
| Rainy days | 9 days | |
| Humidity | 79% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | -2°C / 29°F | |
| Sunshine | 6.9 h/day | |
| Daylight | 9.4 h | |
| Wind | 10 km/h / 6 mph | |
| Snowfall | 43.6 cm / 17.2 in | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 39 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Reno in December
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
BusyWinter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Reno's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Toughest weatherReno's best weather comes in May, June and September — separate windows, not one continuous season.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Reno in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Season
Tahoe ski season
20 Nov – 15 Apr · usuallyReno is the cheap bed for the north Tahoe resorts, forty-five minutes up the hill at Mount Rose and an hour to the lake. Big Sierra storms close the passes and the I-80 chain controls for days at a time. Source ↗
- Season
Snow season
Ski seasonAbout 44 cm of snow falls in the month.
from the climate normals
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Reno — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Reno?
Reno in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Reno?
- December in Reno: cold, rainy, with clean air — a fair time to visit. It ranks #12 of 12 months for Reno on SeasonMap's comfort score (51/100).
- What is the weather like in Reno in December?
- In December, Reno averages a daily high of 6.3°C and a low of -1.4°C, with about 96.5 mm of rain over roughly 9 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Reno in December?
- Reno has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 39 in December.
- Does it snow in Reno in December?
- Reno sees roughly 43.6 cm of snowfall in December.
Other months in Reno
Compare Reno in December
Warmer or cooler than Reno in December
Similar destinations in North America — December
Within 300 km: San Francisco's Gray whale migration around 15 Dec – 15 May, and South Lake Tahoe's Ski season around 20 Nov – 15 Apr.