What December feels like in Boston
Early winter arrives in Boston with December. Daytime temperatures stay cold, and a warm coat is needed even in the middle of the day. Little changes after sunset — nights hover around freezing, so frost is common, only slightly below the daytime level. Damp air makes the cold feel rawer than the numbers alone suggest.
Rain in Boston in December
Showers are a regular feature, arriving about one day in 3. Rain tends to come in heavy bursts: about 10.8 mm (0.4 in) on an average rainy day. The yearly figure is similar, around 9.4 mm per wet day. December is Boston's wettest month of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in December
In mid-December, sunrise is at about 7:06 am and sunset at about 4:13 pm (local time) — 9 h 6 min of daylight. Compared with mid-November, the day has lost 43 min. The sun is out for roughly 62% of those daylight hours, so there are plenty of bright spells.
How December compares to the rest of the year
In Boston's temperature order, December sits as the 3rd coolest month. Against November, the average high is 5.2°C (9.4°F) lower, with 31 mm more rain. The cooling trend carries on into January. By January, typical highs are 2.4°C (36.3°F).
Who December suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — it is cold for long walks.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Beach: less ideal — the sea air is too cool.
Tips for visiting Boston in December
Rain Protection
Keep a small umbrella in your bag and wear shoes that cope with puddles.
Warm Layers
Insulated layers and warm shoes for the cold hours.
Quick questions
How warm is Boston in December?
It feels cold: typical highs are 5.2°C (41.4°F), with lows near -2.4°C (27.7°F).
Does it rain a lot in Boston in December?
Quite a lot — 119 mm spread over about 11 days.
What should I wear in Boston in December?
Based on the averages: rain protection and warm layers. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is December or January better for visiting Boston?
December scores better on our climate ranking (#10 of 12 vs #12), rated Poor against Poor. January is cooler and has fewer rainy days.