December in Bozeman, MT: cool / cold season for golf — expect distance loss and stiff muscles. Best tee times: midday when temperatures are warmest.
| Average December Weather | |
|---|---|
| Avg daily high | 36°F |
| Avg daily low | 19°F |
| Rainy days | 13 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 8.2 mph |
December marks the steepest temperature drop on Bozeman's shoulder into winter. Coming out of November, the average high falls five degrees to 36°F, and the low sits at 19°F — a daily swing of 17°F that means a morning round starting near freezing can feel almost tolerable by midday, but only just. Precipitation days jump from 11 in November to 13 in December, and at this elevation most of that is snow.
That said, December is actually one of the calmer wind months of the year, tied for second-calmest at 8.2 mph peak wind. Calm air doesn't make 36°F comfortable, but it does make the difference between a miserable round and a merely cold one. Golf in Bozeman in December is a niche pursuit — possible on clear days when courses are open, but firmly in the "enthusiast only" category.
Book early-afternoon slots — the high of 36°F is typically reached between noon and 2 PM, giving you the best window before temperatures slide back toward the teens. With 13 precipitation days spread across the month, check conditions 24 hours out rather than booking a week ahead, since playable windows can open or close quickly. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
November gives way to December with a notable five-degree drop in the average high (41°F down to 36°F) and two additional precipitation days, making the transition into December a meaningful step toward full winter. Heading into January, the change is subtler — the high slips just two more degrees to 34°F while precipitation days hold steady at 13 and wind barely budges at 8.1 mph. In practical terms, December and January are nearly identical conditions on the course, but December still holds the slightly warmer edge.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Bozeman, MT for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
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Some courses stay open into early December on a weather-permitting basis, but many close by mid-month as snow accumulates and temperatures hold in the 19–36°F range. Call the specific course the day before, since a clear stretch can make fairways playable even in the third-coldest month of the year.
With 13 precipitation days in December — tied for the third-most of any month — roughly half the month involves some form of precipitation, most of it snow at Bozeman's elevation. Playable windows tend to fall mid-afternoon on clear days when the high nudges toward 36°F, but stringing together multiple consecutive rounds is unlikely.