Best Running Weather in December

December tests running commitment. Winter has arrived in most of the Northern Hemisphere. The days are the shortest of the year. Holiday obligations compete for time and energy. Cold, dark, and busy—December presents the year's greatest running obstacles.

But December also offers opportunity. The runners who maintain consistency through this challenging month enter January with maintained fitness and established habits. Those who disappear for the holidays spend months catching up.

December is about showing up. Here's how to make it work.

The December Challenge

Why December Is Hard

Multiple factors combine to make December running's most challenging month:

Weather:

Cold temperatures in most regions
Shortest daylight hours
Ice and snow in many areas
Dark before work, dark after work

Schedule:

Holiday travel and events
Year-end work demands
Social obligations increasing
Routine disrupted

Psychology:

Seasonal mood effects
Post-racing-season letdown
"I'll start again in January" temptation
General winter reluctance

The "Wait Until January" Trap

Many runners give up December and plan to restart January 1:

The problem:

Fitness loss is significant in 4 weeks
January restart is harder than December maintenance
The pattern repeats every year
You're always behind

The solution:

Maintain minimum running through December
Even 3-4 runs per week preserves fitness
January becomes continuation, not restart
Consistency beats intensity

Regional December Conditions

Northeast United States

Boston averages 36°F. New York averages 38°F. Philadelphia averages 38°F.

The reality:

Full winter conditions
Cold but usually runnable
Snow possible (but often not persistent)
Dark mornings and evenings

What to expect: December Northeast running requires winter gear but is rarely impossible.

Midwest

Chicago averages 32°F. Minneapolis averages 22°F. Detroit averages 33°F.

The picture:

Serious cold, especially Upper Midwest
Snow and ice common
Wind chill significant
Indoor backup more relevant

Adaptation: Midwest runners need full winter arsenal—or treadmill access.

Southeast

Atlanta averages 44°F. Charlotte averages 43°F. Nashville averages 40°F.

The advantage:

Cool but comfortable
Rarely genuinely cold
Good outdoor running possible
Winter "lite" version

Opportunity: Southern runners can maintain outdoor running with minimal adjustment.

Southwest

Phoenix averages 55°F. Tucson averages 51°F. Paradise.

The gift:

Prime running season
Perfect temperatures
Ideal for visiting runners
Running destination

The draw: December in the Southwest attracts runners escaping winter elsewhere.

West Coast

Los Angeles averages 57°F. San Francisco averages 52°F. Seattle averages 42°F.

The scene:

Generally comfortable
Rain in Pacific Northwest
Mild compared to most regions
Year-round running viable

Europe

London averages 43°F. Paris averages 40°F. Berlin averages 35°F. Barcelona averages 52°F.

The conditions:

Cold but manageable most places
Rain common in UK and northern areas
Mediterranean still pleasant
Short daylight across continent

Navigating December Darkness

The Shortest Days

December 21 (winter solstice) brings the year's shortest day:

Daylight by latitude:

Boston: ~9 hours (7:00am sunrise, 4:15pm sunset)
Chicago: ~9 hours (similar timing)
London: ~8 hours (later sunrise, earlier sunset)

The impact:

Morning runs in complete darkness
Evening runs in darkness
Only lunch runs in daylight for many workers
Weekend daylight precious

Making Peace with Darkness

December requires accepting dark running:

Mindset shift:

Darkness is neutral, not dangerous (with proper gear)
Peaceful, quiet running often
Fewer distractions
Build mental toughness

Practical adjustments:

Quality headlamp (200+ lumens)
Reflective and bright clothing
Known, safe routes
Running partners when possible

Maximizing Daylight

When daylight running is possible, prioritize it:

Strategies:

Lunch runs if schedule permits
Weekend long runs in daylight
Flexible work schedules when possible
Move runs to lightest available window

December Training Philosophy

Maintenance Mode

December isn't about building fitness—it's about maintaining it:

What maintenance means:

Running 3-5 days per week
Moderate volume (50-70% of peak)
Easy to moderate intensity mostly
Consistent rather than ambitious

What maintenance preserves:

Aerobic base
Running habit
Structural adaptation
Mental routine

Base Building for Spring

For runners targeting spring races, December starts the long build:

The perspective:

Boston/London marathons are 4-5 months away
December starts the base phase
No intensity yet
Easy miles accumulate

Weekly structure:

4-5 easy runs
One slightly longer run
Consistent but not demanding
Building toward January increases

Recovery from Fall Racing

Many runners are still recovering from fall marathons:

December's role:

Continue rebuilding
Easy running as body permits
Address lingering issues
Don't rush return to training

What recovery looks like:

Easy pace only
Shorter duration
Missing days without guilt
Listening to body

December Weather Strategies

Cold Weather Running

December cold is manageable with proper approach:

Layering system:

Base layer: Moisture-wicking against skin
Mid layer: Insulation (fleece or synthetic)
Outer layer: Wind/weather protection

Extremity protection:

Warm running gloves or mittens
Hat or ear-covering headband
Neck gaiter for face protection in extreme cold
Warm socks (wool blends work well)

The principle: Start slightly cold. You'll warm up. If comfortable at start, you're overdressed.

Ice and Snow

December brings slippery conditions in many regions:

Assessment:

Light snow: Often runnable with caution
Packed snow: Can be good with traction devices
Ice: Dangerous—adjust or skip outdoor running
Fresh snow: Beautiful but slippery

Solutions:

Traction devices (Yaktrax or similar)
Trail shoes with aggressive tread
Shorten stride, widen stance
Alternative surfaces (cleared paths, tracks)

When to go inside: Black ice and freezing rain create dangerous conditions. Treadmill or indoor track are legitimate choices.

The Treadmill's Role

December often increases treadmill use:

When treadmill makes sense:

Ice-covered surfaces
Extreme wind chill (below 0°F/-18°C)
Darkness without safe lit routes
Holiday travel (hotel gyms)

Making treadmill bearable:

Entertainment (shows, music, podcasts)
Varied workouts (not just steady running)
Fan for cooling
Social aspects (gym community)

The Holiday Challenge

Time Management

December schedules are compressed:

Competing demands:

Family gatherings
Holiday parties
Shopping and preparation
Year-end work deadlines

Protecting running time:

Schedule runs like appointments
Morning runs before family wakes
Communicate running needs to family
Shorter runs count during busy weeks

Travel Disruption

Holiday travel disrupts routine:

Strategies:

Pack running gear for any trip
Research running routes at destination
Hotel treadmill as backup
Accept that some travel days don't include running

The opportunity: New routes in new places. Exploration instead of routine.

The Food-Exercise Balance

December features abundant high-calorie foods:

The reality:

Running doesn't "cancel" holiday eating
But running helps maintain metabolism
Running improves how you feel amid indulgence
Exercise provides structure during unstructured times

The approach:

Don't use running to earn eating
Don't punish eating with running
Run because it's good for you
Enjoy holiday foods without guilt

Holiday Races

December offers festive racing opportunities:

Popular options:

Jingle Bell runs
Hot Chocolate races
New Year's Eve runs
Charity holiday events

The value:

Fun, low-pressure racing
Community connection
Structure amid chaos
Celebrate the season through running

December Psychology

Fighting Winter Blues

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects many people:

How running helps:

Exercise releases mood-boosting chemicals
Outdoor exposure to whatever daylight exists
Sense of accomplishment
Routine amid chaos

If struggling:

Run anyway (often feels better after)
Consider light therapy
Connect with running community
Seek professional help if needed

Maintaining Motivation

December motivation challenges are real:

What helps:

Spring race goals (registered and on calendar)
Running partners for accountability
Small, achievable daily goals
Celebrating showing up

What to avoid:

Comparing December running to October
Expecting PR fitness in dark months
Beating yourself up for imperfect consistency
All-or-nothing thinking

The Year in Review

December invites reflection:

Questions to ask:

What worked in my running this year?
What didn't work?
What races/moments stand out?
What do I want from next year?

Looking ahead:

Set spring race goals
Plan winter training
Register for key events
Create next year's running vision

Common December Mistakes

All-or-Nothing Approach

"I can't train properly, so I won't run at all":

The problem: Zero running loses more fitness than minimal running maintains.

The fix: Something beats nothing. A 20-minute easy run preserves more than you'd think.

Ignoring Cold Weather Gear

Running in inadequate cold-weather clothing:

The problem: Miserable runs, risk of hypothermia, decreased desire to run.

The fix: Invest in proper layers, gloves, and hats. December running can be comfortable with right gear.

Overdoing It When Possible

When a warm day or free hour appears, some runners overdo it:

The problem: Injury risk from sudden intensity, accumulated fatigue.

The fix: Maintain consistent moderate effort. Special opportunities don't require special training.

Setting Up January Failure

"I'll run every day starting January 1":

The problem: Unrealistic new year's resolutions crash by January 15.

The fix: Build gradually. If running 3x/week in December, don't jump to 7x in January.

December Clothing Guide

Temperature-Based Outfits

Above 40°F:

Long-sleeve tech shirt
Running tights or pants
Light gloves
Headband

30-40°F:

Base layer
Midweight long-sleeve or light jacket
Running tights
Gloves
Hat or ear warmer

20-30°F:

Base layer
Insulating mid-layer
Wind-resistant outer layer
Tights or running pants
Warm gloves
Hat
Neck gaiter

Below 20°F:

All of the above, heavier versions
Consider balaclava
Mittens instead of gloves
Limit exposure time

Essential December Gear

Headlamp: Non-negotiable for dark running Reflective vest: Visibility is life Quality traction devices: For ice/snow Wind-resistant jacket: Blocks cold wind Multiple glove options: Light to heavy

Looking Forward

January Preparation

December sets up January success:

What to establish:

Consistent running routine
Cold-weather habits
Indoor backup options
Realistic expectations

What to plan:

Spring race calendar
Training cycle start
New year goals
Equipment needs

The Longer View

December is one month in a running year:

Perspective:

It's okay if December isn't your best month
Maintenance is success
Spring will come
The journey continues

Key December Takeaways

December tests commitment. Cold, dark, and busy—but manageable with intention.
Maintenance beats abandonment. Three runs per week preserves fitness. Zero runs loses it.
The days are darkest now. After December 21, daylight slowly returns. Hang on.
Proper gear makes winter runnable. Invest in cold-weather clothing. It transforms the experience.
Holiday schedule requires flexibility. Run when you can. Forgive yourself when you can't.
Treadmill is legitimate. When conditions are dangerous, indoor running is smart.
This is base-building season. December starts the journey to spring races.
Consistency creates January momentum. What you do now determines how 2027 starts.

December is where running commitment is proven. Run Window identifies the best windows within winter's challenges—the rare mild days, the safest running hours, the moments when conditions align for your most important December miles.