Best Time to Visit
🇺🇸 Washington DC, United States · North America
Based on 30-year climate data (1991-2020) from Open-Meteo
Jan
6°
-2°
Good
Feb
8°
-1°
Good
Mar
13°
2°
Good
Apr
19°
8°
Great
May
24°
13°
Great
Jun
29°
18°
Good
Jul
31°
21°
Good
Aug
30°
20°
Good
Sep
26°
17°
Great
Oct
20°
11°
Great
Nov
13°
5°
Good
Dec
8°
0°
Good
| Month | High | Low | Rain Days | Sunshine | Humidity | UV | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°C | -2°C | 9 | 7h | 65% | 1 | Good | View |
| February | 8°C | -1°C | 9 | 8h | 65% | 1 | Good | View |
| March | 13°C | 2°C | 10 | 8h | 65% | 6 | Good | View |
| AprilRecommended | 19°C | 8°C | 10 | 9h | 65% | 6 | Great | View |
| MayRecommended | 24°C | 13°C | 12 | 10h | 65% | 9 | Great | View |
| June | 29°C | 18°C | 12 | 11h | 65% | 9 | Good | View |
| July | 31°C | 21°C | 13 | 12h | 65% | 9 | Good | View |
| August | 30°C | 20°C | 11 | 11h | 65% | 9 | Good | View |
| SeptemberRecommended | 26°C | 17°C | 10 | 9h | 65% | 6 | Great | View |
| OctoberRecommended | 20°C | 11°C | 8 | 8h | 65% | 6 | Great | View |
| November | 13°C | 5°C | 8 | 7h | 65% | 1 | Good | View |
| December | 8°C | 0°C | 9 | 6h | 65% | 1 | Good | View |
Data source: Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis archive, 30-year historical normals (1991-2020). Temperatures in Celsius. Sunshine hours are daily averages.
Avg: 19°C high, 8°C low
Mild conditions at 19°C (66°F), layers recommended. Rain is frequent, waterproof gear recommended. Nights cool to 8°C (46°F).
Avg: 30°C high, 20°C low
Temperatures peak at 30°C (86°F), making midday heat intense. Rain is frequent, waterproof gear recommended. Nights cool to 20°C (68°F).
Avg: 20°C high, 11°C low
Mild conditions at 20°C (68°F), layers recommended. Occasional showers possible. Nights cool to 11°C (52°F).
Avg: 7°C high, -1°C low
Cool to cold at 7°C (45°F), warm clothing essential. Occasional showers possible. Nights cool to -1°C (30°F).
The least favorable time to visit Washington DC is January and December. During this period, you can expect cold weather.
January
Challenges: cold weather
December
Challenges: cold weather
February
Challenges: cold weather
Note: visiting during off-peak months often means lower prices, fewer crowds, and a more authentic experience.
Packing recommendations for visiting Washington DC during the best travel months (October, April, May), when temperatures range from 11°C to 21°C:
Washington DC has a temperate oceanic climate (Koppen classification: Cfa). The warmest month is July with highs of 31°C, while the coldest month is January at just 6°C. Annual rainfall averages 1112mm across approximately 121 rain days.
| Metric | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 6 | 8 | 13 | 19 | 24 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 26 | 20 | 13 | 8 |
| Low °C | -2 | -1 | 2 | 8 | 13 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 11 | 5 | 0 |
| Rain Days | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| Rain mm | 79 | 73 | 100 | 87 | 100 | 91 | 110 | 98 | 116 | 89 | 78 | 91 |
| Sun h/day | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| Humidity % | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| UV Index | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
Considering alternatives to Washington DC? Compare the best travel months for nearby cities:
For a complete day-by-day weather breakdown including packing lists, activities, and local events, explore each month individually:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Explore weather guides for other popular destinations: