Washington DC · WinterMonth summary
Washington DC weather in January
⚠️ Fair
🌡️ Temperature min / max
28°F – 43°F
🌧 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 is a difficult time for Washington DC. June (8.1/10) is much more favourable.
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
Winter in Washington DC is cool (6°F 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 °F | Max °F | Rain % | Precip in | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌫️ January | 28°F | 43°F | 29% | 0.1in | 7.8h | 4.2/10 |
| 🌦️ February | 30°F | 50°F | 36% | 0.1in | 8.4h | 4.6/10 |
| ⛅ March | 37°F | 55°F | 33% | 0.1in | 10.0h | 6.1/10 |
| 🌤️ April | 46°F | 66°F | 37% | 0.1in | 10.7h | 7.2/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 55°F | 73°F | 45% | 0.2in | 11.1h | 7.4/10 |
| 🌤️ June | 64°F | 84°F | 41% | 0.2in | 13.2h | 8.1/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 72°F | 88°F | 47% | 0.2in | 13.3h | 7.5/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 70°F | 86°F | 44% | 0.2in | 12.1h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌤️ September | 63°F | 79°F | 37% | 0.2in | 11.0h | 7.9/10 |
| 🌤️ October | 50°F | 68°F | 28% | 0.1in | 9.9h | 7.4/10 |
| ⛅ November | 39°F | 57°F | 26% | 0.1in | 9.2h | 6.7/10 |
| 🌫️ December | 32°F | 46°F | 28% | 0.1in | 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 43°F, 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°F
- 🌧 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 43°F daytime and 28°F at night. 7.8h of sunshine per day. Pack warm clothes and favour indoor visits.
Accommodation
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Activities & tours
Activities and tours in Washington DC
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