Get the app
Best time to visit · District of Columbia, United States
April & May and September & October are the best time to visit Washington, DC on the climate data: October scores 85/100, with highs around 68°F (20°C) and 4.1 in (105 mm) of rain. June, August and November are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are December – February, mainly because of cool days.
These averages also cover Georgetown and National Mall & Downtown.
Highs run from 40°F to 88°F across the year, and the yearly total is about 45.4 in (1152 mm) of rain and snow.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high | 40°F4°C | 43°F6°C | 52°F11°C | 65°F18°C | 74°F23°C | 83°F28°C | 88°F31°C | 87°F30°C | 80°F27°C | 68°F20°C | 55°F13°C | 45°F7°C |
| Avg low | 26°F-4°C | 27°F-3°C | 34°F1°C | 44°F7°C | 55°F13°C | 65°F18°C | 70°F21°C | 69°F20°C | 62°F16°C | 49°F10°C | 38°F3°C | 30°F-1°C |
| Rain/snow | 2.6 in67 mm | 2.8 in70 mm | 3.3 in84 mm | 3.6 in92 mm | 4.3 in109 mm | 4.6 in118 mm | 4.6 in116 mm | 4.3 in109 mm | 4.2 in107 mm | 4.1 in105 mm | 3.1 in80 mm | 3.7 in95 mm |
| Humidity | 82% | 80% | 79% | 76% | 78% | 74% | 69% | 70% | 72% | 76% | 79% | 83% |
| Cloud | 61% | 61% | 60% | 59% | 61% | 56% | 56% | 54% | 52% | 52% | 53% | 61% |
| Comfort | 46 | 50 | 65 | 84 | 81 | 75 | 66 | 70 | 83 | 85 | 73 | 50 |
Source: NASA POWER (public domain), 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km satellite and reanalysis grid, so coasts and valleys can differ from what's shown. The grid cell sits at about 71 m (233 ft), close to Washington, DC's own ~22 m. Precipitation includes snow as melted water; daylight is calculated from latitude. Check a forecast before you go.
The coldest season, with highs of 40–45°F (4–7°C) and lows down to 26°F (-4°C). It's the driest season, with only about 9.1 in (232 mm) of rain or snow, 20% of the year's total. January & February are cold enough for snow. It holds the toughest stretch on our comfort score (December – February), averaging 49/100.
Temperatures climb through the season, from 52°F highs in March to 74°F by May. About 11.2 in (285 mm) of rain falls across these months, 25% of the year's total. Lows bottom out around 34°F (1°C). April & May are among the best-scoring months (season average 77/100).
Peak warmth: highs of 83–88°F (28–31°C). It's the wettest season, with about 13.5 in (343 mm) of rain, 30% of the year's total. Lows bottom out around 65°F (18°C). June and August score well without being the very best (season average 70/100).
Temperatures slide from 80°F highs in September to 55°F by November. About 11.5 in (292 mm) of rain falls across these months, 25% of the year's total. Lows bottom out around 38°F (3°C). September & October are among the best-scoring months (season average 80/100).
By comfort score: 5 Great, 4 Good and 3 Fair. Great months: April – June and September & October. Tap a month for its own guide.
April & May and September & October are the best time to visit Washington, DC on the climate data: October scores 85/100, with highs around 68°F (20°C) and 4.1 in (105 mm) of rain. June, August and November are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are December – February, mainly because of cool days.
June is the wettest month, averaging about 4.6 in (118 mm) of rain. January is the driest, with about 2.6 in (67 mm). The yearly total is around 45.4 in (1152 mm).
January is the coldest, with average lows of 26°F (-4°C) and highs of 40°F (4°C). The warmest is July, with average highs of 88°F (31°C).
Not very: summer (June – August) humidity averages 71%, and highs peak around 88°F (31°C), so heat matters more than mugginess.
On average, yes: lows fall below 32°F (0°C) in December – February, bottoming out around 26°F (-4°C) in January.
Send the group one link: vote on dates, build the plan together and split costs as you go.
