December in Wilmington, NC: shoulder season for golf — playable with smart tee time selection. Best tee times: late morning to early afternoon after dew burns off.
| Average December Weather | |
|---|---|
| Avg daily high | 60°F |
| Avg daily low | 45°F |
| Rainy days | 12 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 11.9 mph |
December in Wilmington sits at a 60°F average high — the same ceiling you'd find in early April in many northern cities, which catches first-time visitors off guard. The reality is that December is tied for the third-driest month of the year at 12 precipitation days, and rounds are frequently interrupted by wind rather than rain. Afternoons can be genuinely pleasant.
The 15°F daily swing is the real adjustment. What surprises most visitors is how much the temperature shifts between the first tee and the back nine — a 7 AM start plays differently than a noon finish. Wind sits at 11.9 mph on average, moderate rather than punishing, but it's enough to affect club selection on exposed coastal layouts. Pack for layers, not just a single jacket, and keep your afternoon free rather than committing to an early-morning start you can't move.
Book midday tee times — 10 AM to 1 PM — to let temperatures climb closer to the 60°F high before you're deep into your round; the 45°F morning lows make early starts genuinely cold rather than just brisk. With 12 precipitation days spread across the month, coastal weather patterns can shift quickly — check a 48-hour forecast before booking and confirm your reservation is changeable rather than prepaid. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
November is the warmer lead-in, with highs 6°F higher at 66°F and two fewer precipitation days, making it the more comfortable choice if your schedule allows. December holds its own against January, where highs drop another 4°F to 56°F and winds pick up to 12.7 mph — so if you're choosing between the two winter months, December has a modest but real edge in both temperature and wind. Precipitation stays flat going into January at the same 12 days, so that's not a deciding factor.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Wilmington, NC for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
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It's a workable shoulder-season month rather than a peak one. Highs reach 60°F and December is tied for the third-driest month of the year at 12 precipitation days, so weather shutouts are less frequent than you might assume. The main trade-off is the 15°F daily swing, which makes morning rounds cold — plan accordingly.
Peak wind averages 11.9 mph in December, which falls into the moderate range and makes it the sixth-windiest month of the year. It's enough to add a club or two on approach shots at open layouts, but it's not the kind of wind that ruins a round. Wind does tick up another 0.8 mph in January, so December is marginally calmer if wind is your concern.