New York City · December
Run in the midday.
Cold: average high 45°F, low 32°F. Layering becomes the workout. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
Avg high / low
45° / 32°F
Humidity
74%
Rain days
13/mo
Wind
13 mph
What December feels like in New York City
Sunrise
08:12
Mid-month average
Sunset
17:31
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 New York City in December
The kit for December in New York City: cold-weather layers, gloves, and ear coverage on most mornings, a water-resistant cap or jacket on standby.
December vs the surrounding months
vs November
-8° avg high
+2 rain days
New York City in November →
December
45°F avg high
13 rain days
Best: midday
vs January
+6° avg high
+1 rain days
New York City in January →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of day to run in New York City in December?+
Midday. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
What's the average temperature in New York City in December?+
Average high 45°F, average low 32°F.
How does December compare to surrounding months in New York City?+
Compared to November (avg high 53°F), December is cooler. Compared to January (avg high 39°F), December is warmer.
Does it rain often in New York City in December?+
Expect about 13 measurable rain days in December, on average.