Washington DC · WinterMonth summary
Washington DC weather in January
⚠️ Fair
🌡️ Temperature min / max
-2°C – 6°C
🌧 Rainy days
29% of days
☀️ Sunshine
7.8h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Winter
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
4.2/10
📅 📅 Best month
June (8.1/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Washington DC in January?
⚠️ Fair
✅ Yes if: you enjoy winter atmosphere and the lowest prices of the year.
❌ No if: you're looking for sunshine or outdoor activities.
Our take: January brings a challenging climate (4.2/10). June offers milder conditions if your dates are flexible.
By trip type
Washington DC in January by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ⚠️ Possible
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ❌ Not recommended
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : — No sea access
- 💰 💰 Budget : ✅ Low season
Local context
What to expect in January
🎯 Low season — 6°C and limited conditions. Upside: lower prices and few tourists Winter in Washington DC is cool (6°C during the day). Days are short (7.8h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Expect rain on 29% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
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Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rain % | Precip mm | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌫️ January | -2°C | 6°C | 29% | 2.6 | 7.8h | 4.2/10 |
| 🌦️ February | -1°C | 10°C | 36% | 3.1 | 8.4h | 4.6/10 |
| ⛅ March | 3°C | 13°C | 33% | 2.9 | 10.0h | 6.1/10 |
| 🌤️ April | 8°C | 19°C | 37% | 3.2 | 10.7h | 7.2/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 13°C | 23°C | 45% | 4.8 | 11.1h | 7.4/10 |
| 🌤️ June | 18°C | 29°C | 41% | 4.3 | 13.2h | 8.1/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 22°C | 31°C | 47% | 6.1 | 13.3h | 7.5/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 21°C | 30°C | 44% | 5.1 | 12.1h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌤️ September | 17°C | 26°C | 37% | 4.4 | 11.0h | 7.9/10 |
| 🌤️ October | 10°C | 20°C | 28% | 3.0 | 9.9h | 7.4/10 |
| ⛅ November | 4°C | 14°C | 26% | 2.7 | 9.2h | 6.7/10 |
| 🌫️ December | 0°C | 8°C | 28% | 3.2 | 7.5h | 4.4/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In January, Washington DC averages 6°C, 29% rainy days and 7.8h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 4.2/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
January vs June (best month)
The best month is June (score 8.1/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +23°C
- 🌧 Rainy days : +12%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +5.4h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Washington DC in January
Is January a good time to visit Washington DC?
January is not recommended for Washington DC (score 4.2/10). With 29% rainy days and 7.8h of sunshine, consider June (8.1/10) instead.
What's the weather like in Washington DC in January?
It's cool with 6°C daytime and -2°C at night. 7.8h of sunshine per day. Pack warm clothes and favour indoor visits.
Accommodation
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