Skip to main content

Washington, D.C. · December

Running in Washington, D.C. in December

Typical December running conditions in Washington, D.C. — and a live Run Score so you can see how today compares with the norm.

Typical Run Score

80

Great

Avg temperature

39°F

Cold

Avg dew point

30°F

Comfortable

Best window

12–5 PM

Local time

Washington, D.C. · today vs the December normTemperature · dew point · wind · timing

How December compares in Washington, D.C.

December ranks 6th of 12 months for running in Washington, D.C., with a typical daytime Run Score of 80 (Great). For reference, the best month is November (score 91) and the hardest is July (score 53). The kindest window in December is typically 12–5 PM. Precipitation falls in roughly 14% of hours this month. Use the live tool below to see how today actually compares with the December norm.

Running in Washington, D.C. in December: FAQ

Is it good to run in Washington, D.C. in December?

Yes — it's one of the better months to run here. The typical daytime Run Score is 80 (Great), with temperatures around 39°F (4°C) and comfortable dew points. The best window is usually 12–5 PM.

How hot is it for running in Washington, D.C. in December?

Typical temperatures average 39°F (4°C) (Cold) with dew points near 30°F. Dew point — not the thermometer — usually decides how hard the run feels.

What is a good Run Score?

Scores run 0–100. 97+ is Perfect, 80–96 is Great — conditions are actively working in your favour. 65–79 (Good) is solid. 45–64 (Mixed) means at least one factor — usually heat or dew point — is taxing you. Below 45 (Poor), expect a noticeably harder effort or hold back for safety.

Why does dew point matter more than temperature?

Your body cools by evaporating sweat. When the dew point climbs above roughly 60°F, the air is too saturated for sweat to evaporate efficiently, so heat builds up even if the thermometer looks reasonable. That's why a 70°F muggy morning can feel harder than a dry 80°F afternoon.

Get this on every run, automatically

RunWeather syncs with Strava, plans your week, and learns your heat tolerance — so the right time to run finds you.