Washington D.C. · December
Run in the midday.
Cold: average high 49°F, low 34°F. Layering becomes the workout. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
Avg high / low
49° / 34°F
Humidity
72%
Rain days
12/mo
Wind
10 mph
What December feels like in Washington D.C.
Sunrise
08:19
Mid-month average
Sunset
17:48
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 Washington D.C. in December
The kit for December in Washington D.C.: 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
-7° avg high
+3 rain days
Washington D.C. in November →
December
49°F avg high
12 rain days
Best: midday
vs January
+6° avg high
0 rain days
Washington D.C. in January →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of day to run in Washington D.C. in December?+
Midday. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
What's the average temperature in Washington D.C. in December?+
Average high 49°F, average low 34°F.
How does December compare to surrounding months in Washington D.C.?+
Compared to November (avg high 56°F), December is cooler. Compared to January (avg high 43°F), December is warmer.
Does it rain often in Washington D.C. in December?+
Expect about 12 measurable rain days in December, on average.