Snow in December is possible in Blue Ridge, Georgia, but nobody can promise it for a given weekend. Blue Ridge has no NOAA normals station of its own. The nearest station with temperature normals is Blairsville Experiment Station, about 22 miles east, and its 1991 to 2020 normals show 1.2 inches of snow for the whole month of December, a normal daily high of 52.5°F and a normal low of 28.7°F (NOAA climate normals).
52.5°F
Normal December high
28.7°F
Normal December low
5.46in
December precipitation
1.2in
December snowfall (provisional)
A normal December day reaches the low 50s and drops below freezing at night. Snow can fall, but the long-term normal is about an inch for the whole month.
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for the Blairsville Experiment Station, about 22 miles east of Blue Ridge and the nearest station with temperature normals. Source: NOAA climate normals, checked Oct 17, 2026
December by the numbers
| Month (Blairsville, 1991 to 2020) | Normal high | Normal low |
|---|---|---|
| November | 60.7°F | 33.3°F |
| December | 52.5°F | 28.7°F |
| January | 49.4°F | 25.4°F |
December precipitation at Blairsville is 5.46 inches. Ellijay, a precipitation-only station about 15 miles southwest, averages 6.24 inches of precipitation and 0.7 inch of snow in December (NOAA climate normals).
Neither station is in town. The USGS elevation at the federal map point for Blue Ridge is about 1,765 feet (USGS 3DEP). The Blairsville station sits at about 1,950 feet, so the two are close, but treat the normals as a regional guide rather than a reading from Main Street.
What 1.2 inches a month means
It is a monthly average, not a forecast. NOAA flags the Blairsville snowfall figure as provisional because it rests on 21 years of records instead of the full 30. A monthly average of about an inch can come from one small snowfall in some years and nothing in others, and the normals do not say which. Snow is only a small share of December’s 5.46 inches of precipitation.
What the numbers do say clearly is that December nights normally fall below freezing. A 28.7°F normal low means frost, cold car windshields and the chance of ice on shaded roads and steps, even on a dry week.
The photo above was taken in Fannin County on December 24, 2021. It shows that snow at Christmas can happen here. It tells you nothing about how often.
You may come across a December weather table for the area that does not name a station or a period. We use the NOAA normals because they name both.
The big events go on in the cold
- Light Up Blue Ridge (November 27 and 28, 2026) happens rain, snow or shine, according to Light Up Blue Ridge. On Saturday the parade starts at 5:30 p.m., just after the 5:26 p.m. sunset, and the tree is lit at about 7 p.m. That is a long stretch outdoors after dark. See parking and crowds for the full timeline.
- The train runs rain or shine. Open-air coaches get vinyl windows in winter, and the railway still recommends dressing warm in them (Blue Ridge Railway). If you get cold easily, book a closed coach. The Holiday Express page has the coach details.
- The Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, 2026, is rain or shine, but the Chamber says severe weather can cancel it with no reschedule.
- Short days. Sunset in Blue Ridge on December 21, 2026, the winter solstice, is 5:30 p.m. EST. Plan drives on unfamiliar mountain roads for daylight.
Dates can change; confirm with each organizer before you go.
What to pack for a December evening outdoors
- Layers you can add and remove: a base layer, a warm mid layer and a wind- and water-resistant coat.
- A hat, gloves and warm socks. Children get cold fast standing still at a parade.
- Waterproof shoes with good grip for wet sidewalks or a frosty morning.
- Hand warmers, a thermos and a small blanket for the wait before the tree lighting.
- A flashlight for the walk back to the car after dark.
Check the real forecast
Normals describe the past 30 years, not your weekend. Check the National Weather Service forecast for Blue Ridge a few days before the trip and again the morning you drive. If you are staying out in the county, ask your host about the driveway when it ices; our where to stay page has a short list of questions to ask. Families can find cold-weather tips by age on Christmas with kids.
Questions people ask
Does Blue Ridge, GA get snow in December?
Sometimes, but not reliably. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Blairsville Experiment Station, the nearest temperature normals station about 22 miles east, show 1.2 inches of December snow, a provisional figure based on 21 years.
Source: NOAA climate normals, checked Oct 17, 2026
How cold is Blue Ridge, GA in December?
At the nearest NOAA station, Blairsville, December's normal daily high is 52.5°F and the normal low is 28.7°F (1991-2020), so nights usually drop below freezing.
Source: NOAA climate normals, checked Oct 17, 2026
What is the weather like in late November for Light Up Blue Ridge?
November normals at Blairsville are a 60.7°F high and a 33.3°F low. The parade starts after sunset, so dress for a cold evening; the organizers say Light Up happens rain, snow or shine.
Source: NOAA climate normals, checked Oct 17, 2026
Is it cold on the open-air train cars in winter?
It can be. Open-air coaches get vinyl windows in winter, but the railway still recommends dressing warm in open-air cars.
Source: Blue Ridge Railway, checked Oct 17, 2026
What is the elevation of Blue Ridge, Georgia?
About 1,765 feet, from the USGS 3DEP elevation at the federal map point for Blue Ridge.
Source: USGS 3DEP, checked Oct 17, 2026
