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Boston Marathon 2026 weather forecast looks good, except for one thing
TL;DR
The weather forecast for the Boston Marathon on April 20, 2026, looks mostly clear, but there is a risk of wet conditions leading up to the event. Historical weather challenges have affected past marathons, emphasizing the importance of weather in distance running.
Key points
- Boston Marathon is on April 20, 2026.
- Forecast shows mostly clear skies for the marathon.
- Past marathons faced significant weather challenges.
Boston Marathon
From heat risk to wet, rainy tracks, weather plays a significant factor in distance running.
It's even more important to consider for the Boston Marathon, which is this Monday, April 20, 2026, as some pretty crazy marathon mishaps have happened as a result of New England weather.
Runners have had to battle the snow in at least 6 marathons: 1906, 1908, 1925, 1961, and 1967. Those last two years featured snow squalls: in 1961, the snow was driven by winds of 10-12 mph and recorded temperature was 39 degrees.
Despite a wet weather system on Sunday, runners on Marathon Monday should be seeing mostly clear skies, according to the National Weather Service.
Here's what you need to know about the weather forecast for the Boston Marathon.
Boston Marathon 2026 weather forecast: Mostly sunny skies
Meteorologist Matthew Belk said that Hopkinton, where the marathon starts, should see temperatures in the low 30's on Monday morning.
He also said that the Boston area should experience high temperatures in the upper 40s in the afternoon and a "generally sunny' day with the possibility of a couple of clouds in the skies.
Marathon Monday should also see a robust west wind of 10 to 15 mph with wind gusts of 20 to 25 mph, the weather service forecast said.
Precipitation chance is at 15% for Monday morning and is set to be drawn lower as the day goes on.
Except for a few surfaces that may be wet from the Sunday rain showers, the weather should pose no problem to the runners in Monday's race, Belk said. Heat risk should also be negligible.
Whatâs the perfect weather for marathon running?
Most runners and experts agree that perfect marathon running weather is around 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit. Thatâs because as the distances get longer, the more that even slightly warmer temperatures can affect runners by causing dehydration, fatigue and even heatstroke.
Runners also hope for overcast skies and a light tailwind.
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: Boston Marathon runners will like early weather forecast. Take a look
Q&A
What is the weather forecast for the Boston Marathon 2026?
The forecast indicates mostly clear skies for Marathon Monday, April 20, 2026, despite a wet weather system on the preceding Sunday.
How has weather impacted past Boston Marathons?
Weather has significantly impacted past Boston Marathons, with notable snow events occurring in years like 1906, 1908, 1925, 1961, and 1967.
What are the historical weather challenges faced by Boston Marathon runners?
Runners have faced various weather challenges, including snow squalls and cold temperatures, which have affected race conditions in several years.