The month in detail
What to expect in January
Winter in Washington DC is cool (6.0°F during the day). Days are short (4.7h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Expect rain on 29.0% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
January ranks 10 out of 12 months in Washington DC. Compared to December: −4°F daytime.
This month's conditions
What it's like in January
UV index
2 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
-4°
Daylight
9.6h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 23
Compare
Is January the right month?
The best month in Washington DC is June (8.3/10), 4.2 pts higher than January.
Context
Our verdict
Washington DC is the federal capital: 700,000 inhabitants, but 6 million in the urban area. Monumental city center around the National Mall.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Washington DC
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Washington DC
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.
Country · USA
🗣️LanguageEnglish
💶CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 88°F
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 43°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJuly · 47%
🏛️ City break
📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round
🚇Public transportGood
Explore
Other destinations in January
If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Washington DC ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
USATemperate climate with a 8.3 → 4.1 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
38.91°N · 77.04°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Washington DC?
June is the best month with 84°F highs, 64°F lows, 9.4h of sunshine and 41.0% rainy days. The months of June & September offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Washington DC get in June?
Washington DC averages 9.4 sunshine hours per day in June. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.8/10.
What is the rainiest month in Washington DC?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Washington DC in June?
In June, overnight lows reach 64°F, while afternoon highs average 84°F.
Is Washington DC good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Washington DC scores 4.0/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains June with a score of 7.8/10.
When should you avoid Washington DC?
January is the most difficult month to visit Washington DC, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Washington DC in January?
The average UV index reaches 2 in January in Washington DC (low), with about 9.6h of daylight. No protection needed.