Christmas in Georgia usually feels more like a crisp fall day than a classic winter holiday. You’ll see average high temperatures in the mid-40s up north and mid-50s in central Georgia, with lows anywhere from the 20s to the 40s. Snow almost never shows up, but chilly mornings and brisk afternoons are pretty normal.
If you’re spending Christmas in Atlanta, you’ll probably catch highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s. Head down south, and things warm up a bit—Savannah often hits the low 60s. These differences mean planning a Christmas trip in Georgia really depends on your destination.
You’ll probably want to know how often rain pops up and if there’s any chance of snow at all. With a mix of climate history, regional quirks, and travel tips, you’ll get a feel for how Georgia stacks up against other states and what to expect.
Typical Christmas Weather Across Georgia
Georgia’s Christmas weather tends to be mild but can change a lot depending on where you are. Temperatures, daylight, and humidity all shift between the north, central, and coastal parts of the state, which definitely affects your holiday plans.
Average Temperatures in December
December brings cooler weather to Georgia, but it rarely gets harsh. In Atlanta, average highs hover around 56°F (13°C), with lows near 38°F (4°C).
Up in mountain towns like Blairsville, highs average closer to 53°F (11°C), and lows can drop to 29°F (-2°C).
Central Georgia—think Macon or Columbus—usually sees highs near 61°F (16°C), with lows in the upper 30s. Coastal spots like Savannah and Brunswick stay warmer, with highs in the mid-60s and lows in the 40s.
Snow? It’s rare unless you’re way up in the mountains, where you might catch a quick flurry. For most folks, Christmas morning feels cool, and afternoons are pretty mild.
Regional Weather Variations
Georgia’s landscape creates big differences in holiday weather. North Georgia usually gets the coldest air, especially in the mountains. Nighttime temperatures can dip below freezing, and you might wake up to frost on Christmas morning.
Central Georgia keeps things more comfortable. Cities like Macon and Warner Robins have cool evenings and pleasant afternoons, so outdoor gatherings don’t call for heavy coats.
South and Coastal Georgia stay the mildest. Savannah, Brunswick, and Valdosta often reach highs in the mid-60s. Coastal breezes stop nights from getting too chilly, so evenings feel gentler than they do inland.
So, depending on where you are, your holiday could feel brisk and wintry or almost like spring.
Daylight Hours and Sunlight
By late December, daylight is at its shortest. Across Georgia, you’ll get about 10 hours of daylight at Christmas. Sun usually rises close to 7:30 a.m., and it’s dark before 6:00 p.m.
Clouds hang around a lot in winter, but you’ll still catch some sun. Most areas see 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight on average. The north gets more overcast days, while the coast often enjoys clearer skies.
With shorter days, you’ll want to plan outdoor stuff earlier. Evening events—like Christmas lights or outdoor parties—will need extra lighting.
Humidity and Wind Patterns
December humidity in Georgia usually feels moderate, though it can get damp after it rains. Relative humidity runs between 60% and 75%, and it’s higher by the coast and in the mornings.
Winds stay mostly light to moderate. Places like Atlanta and Macon see breezes around 5 to 10 mph. On the coast—Savannah and Brunswick—winds can be a bit stronger, especially near the water.
Cold fronts sometimes sweep through, bringing gusts and a chill. But big winter storms don’t show up much, so most holiday weeks are calm enough for travel and outdoor fun.
Precipitation and Snowfall Chances
December often brings wet weather to Georgia, but snow is pretty much a no-show. Rain falls regularly, while measurable snow on Christmas barely ever happens. Sometimes, ice storms or odd winter weather have made things interesting.
Rainfall Patterns in December
Rain is Georgia’s go-to precipitation in December. The state averages about 4 to 5 inches of rain for the month, with north Georgia sometimes getting a bit more.
Atlanta usually records rain on several December days. Not every system is heavy, but some Christmas Days have brought over 2 inches of rain. Central Georgia is a little drier, though showers still pop up often.
Passing cold fronts bring most of the rain. Sometimes you get steady showers, other times it’s just light rain on and off. So, you’re more likely to have a wet Christmas than a white one in most of Georgia.
Likelihood of Snow on Christmas
Snow on Christmas in Georgia is almost unheard of. In Atlanta, only a few Christmas Days have even had a trace since records started. Most years, it just isn’t cold enough, with highs usually in the 40s or 50s.
The odds of real snow on Christmas are super low. Even up north, where winter’s a bit stronger, snow doesn’t show up often. Central and southern Georgia pretty much never see snow this time of year.
If snow does fall, it’s usually because a strong cold front lines up with just enough moisture. Otherwise, Christmas passes by without any wintry mix.
Historical Snow Events
The most memorable Christmas snow in Georgia happened in 2010. Parts of north Georgia, including Atlanta, actually got measurable snow. People still talk about it, since it was the first widespread white Christmas in decades.
Before 2010, only traces of snow ever got recorded on Christmas in the area. Those melted fast and never really covered the ground.
Big snowstorms in Georgia usually show up in January or February. Gainesville once got 17 inches of snow in March 1960, but nothing like that has ever happened on Christmas.
Ice Storms and Rare Weather Phenomena
While snow is rare, ice storms have hit Georgia on Christmas a few times. The worst case was in 1962, when freezing rain coated parts of north and east Georgia. Gainesville had tons of tree damage and long power outages after that storm.
Ice storms cause more trouble than snow, since they bring down power lines and make roads dangerous. They don’t happen often, but when they do, people remember.
Other odd Christmas weather has included severe thunderstorms and even tornadoes. In 1964, an F2 tornado touched down in Crisp County on Christmas Day. An F3 tornado struck several counties just after midnight on December 26. Georgia’s holiday weather can really surprise you sometimes.
Atlanta’s Christmas Weather Overview
In Atlanta, Christmas usually feels cool but not harsh. You’ll see mild highs during the day, chilly nights, and maybe some rain, but snow is almost never in the cards. Past records show most years are calm, though sometimes you get unusually warm weather or even severe storms.
Average Highs and Lows in Atlanta
Daytime highs in Atlanta at Christmas usually land in the low to mid-50s °F (about 11–13°C). Some years, it’s spiked into the upper 60s or even low 70s °F, so it can feel more like spring.
Nighttime lows fall into the mid-30s °F (1–3°C). Occasionally, they dip into the 20s °F, but that’s not typical.
Here’s a quick look at the usual numbers:
| Temperature | Typical Range | Record Values |
|---|---|---|
| Highs | 50–55°F | Up to 72°F |
| Lows | 34–38°F | Down to single digits |
So, you’ll want a jacket or sweater if you’re outside, but you probably won’t need heavy winter coats.
Precipitation and Cloud Cover in Atlanta
Rain is more likely than snow in Atlanta at Christmas. December brings about 3–4 inches of rain, spread across the month, but Christmas Day itself is usually dry. When it does rain, it’s often light or moderate.
You’ll get about 9–10 rainy days in December. Still, the odds of rain on Christmas Day are pretty low.
Snow is extremely rare. Only a trace has ever been recorded a few times, with the most notable event in 2010 when actual snow fell on Christmas Day. Sometimes the sky is gray, but other years bring clear, sunny weather.
Recent Christmas Weather Trends
Atlanta’s Christmas weather has bounced all over the place in recent decades. Some years, highs reached the 60s or 70s °F, making it easy to hang out outside without bundling up. Other years, lows dropped near freezing, and you’d wake up to frost.
Rain sometimes shows up on the holiday, but big downpours don’t happen much. The 2010 Christmas snow is still the most talked-about in recent memory, since it was the first measurable snow on Christmas in over a hundred years.
Severe weather rarely happens, but it’s possible. Tornadoes have hit Georgia near Christmas, though not directly in Atlanta. Most years, though, the weather stays mild and doesn’t mess up holiday plans.
Weather Differences: North vs. South Georgia
Christmas weather in Georgia really depends on your location. The northern mountains get colder days and sometimes see snow, while the southern coast stays much milder—almost spring-like.
Mountain Region Conditions
If you’re heading to the Blue Ridge Mountains or north Georgia for Christmas, prepare for colder air. Daytime highs usually stick in the 40s°F (4–9°C), and nights can drop below freezing.
Snow can happen, but it’s not a sure thing. Icy patches sometimes form on higher peaks and shady roads.
The mountain air feels dry and crisp compared to the rest of the state. Skies may be clear, but cold fronts can quickly bring clouds and light winter weather. If you’re planning outdoor activities, pack warm clothes and stay ready for quick changes.
The higher elevation means bigger swings between day and night temperatures. Even when afternoons feel manageable, evenings can turn bitterly cold. Some travelers say Christmas up here feels the most like a traditional winter.
Coastal and Southern Georgia Climate
Southern and coastal Georgia usually stay much warmer for Christmas. Daytime highs often reach the upper 60s to low 70s°F (19–22°C), with nights cooling to the 40s or 50s°F (5–12°C). Snow almost never happens, and frost is rare near the coast.
Humidity’s higher here, so the air can feel muggy even in December. Rain is possible, but you’ll also get plenty of sunshine. Coastal breezes help keep things steady, and you won’t see the sharp temperature drops you get in the mountains.
If you’re traveling to Savannah or nearby, the weather might remind you of early spring. A light jacket works during the day, but you might want an extra layer at night. This area offers a mild, comfy Christmas climate compared to the north.
How Georgia’s Christmas Weather Compares to Other States
Georgia’s Christmas weather is usually milder than a lot of the country. Still, the state can get chilly snaps, rain, or even the occasional rare snow. Its climate lands somewhere in the middle—warmer than up north, but cooler and less humid than most of the Gulf Coast.
Temperature and Precipitation Benchmarks
On Christmas Day, you’ll usually see highs in the 40s to 50s°F across much of Georgia. In central and southern spots, temps sometimes climb into the 60s or even low 70s°F if it’s a warmer year.
Northern Georgia often wakes up to lows in the 20s to 30s°F. That’s cold enough for frost and maybe even a bit of ice.
Georgia doesn’t get much snow compared to places farther north. A white Christmas is pretty rare here—the last big one happened back in 2010.
Rain shows up more often, and in some years, more than 2 inches have fallen on December 25.
When you look at the Midwest or Northeast, where snow and freezing temps are just part of the deal, Georgia feels pretty mild. But next to Florida, where Christmas highs often reach the 70s to 80s°F, Georgia’s winter definitely feels cooler.
Notable Regional Contrasts
Georgia’s climate really stands out from its neighbors. In the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina or Tennessee, snow shows up more often, and Christmas temperatures usually drop below freezing.
These areas deal with icy travel conditions a lot more. To the west, states like Alabama and Mississippi get mild winters too, but they see a bit more Gulf moisture, which means a higher chance of rain.
Further north, Kentucky and Virginia stay colder on average and pick up more snow. Meanwhile, Florida’s subtropical climate brings warm afternoons and almost no frost—feels like a different world down there.
Georgia sits in this in-between spot. Sometimes you get a hint of southern warmth, and other times, winter sneaks in for a quick visit.
Planning for Christmas in Georgia: Tips and Considerations
Weather in Georgia around Christmas can swing from chilly mornings in the 20s to afternoons in the 50s. Rain could show up, snow almost never does, and temperatures can change fast.
If you plan ahead, you’ll stay a lot more comfortable—and probably safer too.
Recommended Clothing and Packing Advice
Go with layered clothing since mornings might be cold, especially in North Georgia. By the afternoon, it might actually feel pretty mild.
A light to medium jacket works for most of the state, but if you’re heading into the mountains, you’ll want a heavier coat.
Bring long-sleeve shirts, sweaters, and a mix of pants so you can adjust as the weather changes. If you’re spending time outdoors in the northern counties, you’ll want gloves, hats, and maybe a scarf.
Rain isn’t super common, but it does happen. Toss a compact umbrella or waterproof jacket in your bag just in case.
Shoes with good traction beat sandals or light sneakers, especially if it’s wet or frosty.
If you’re staying in North Georgia, be ready for freezing mornings. In central and southern parts of the state, lighter layers make more sense for those warmer afternoons in the 60s.
Travel and Outdoor Activities
Driving conditions usually feel pretty good, but you should watch out for overnight frost or icy spots in higher elevations. If you’re heading through rural or mountain areas, definitely keep an eye on forecasts since temps can drop fast.
People love spending time outdoors this time of year because afternoons tend to be mild. You might stroll through city parks, wander around holiday light displays, or try a short hike.
It’s better to start later in the day, after things warm up a bit. Rain showers sometimes mess with plans, so checking the forecast before you leave is just smart.
It helps to have a backup indoor activity in mind, like hitting a museum or exploring a historic site, so you’re not stuck if the weather turns.
If you’re flying in or out of Atlanta, winter weather delays don’t happen often, but they can pop up. Arrive early and give yourself some extra time, especially with all the holiday travelers.