Chicago · December
Run in the midday.
Cold: average high 39°F, low 28°F. Layering becomes the workout. Humidity averages 75% — the limiting factor on most runs. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
Avg high / low
39° / 28°F
Humidity
75%
Rain days
11/mo
Wind
16 mph
What December feels like in Chicago
Sunrise
08:10
Mid-month average
Sunset
17:22
Mid-month average
Time-of-day breakdown
Morning
Coolest, driest air of the day. The window before sunrise is the most reliable comfortable hour.
Midday
Often the warmest few hours of a cold day. If you can only run once, midday gives you the most temperate window.
Evening
Cold drops back in fast after sunset. Tight window — done before headlamp territory.
What to wear running in Chicago in December
The kit for December in Chicago: cold-weather layers, gloves, and ear coverage on most mornings, a wind-blocking layer for exposed routes.
December vs the surrounding months
vs November
-8° avg high
+1 rain days
Chicago in November →
December
39°F avg high
11 rain days
Best: midday
vs January
+8° avg high
-3 rain days
Chicago in January →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of day to run in Chicago in December?+
Midday. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
What's the average temperature in Chicago in December?+
Average high 39°F, average low 28°F.
How does December compare to surrounding months in Chicago?+
Compared to November (avg high 47°F), December is cooler. Compared to January (avg high 31°F), December is warmer.
Does it rain often in Chicago in December?+
Expect about 11 measurable rain days in December, on average.