2026 Climate Averages

Weather in Washington DC in January

Conditions are pleasant for sightseeing, though you might encounter occasional showers.

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Climate Overview

January is a good time to visit Washington DC. Washington DC has a Moderate climate with average yearly highs of 9°C, lows of 0°C, and approximately 7 rainy days per month.

Avg High

9°C

Avg Low

0°C

Rainy days

7days

Daylight

9.7h

Is January a good time to visit Washington DC?

Conditions are pleasant for sightseeing, though you might encounter occasional showers.

Daylight

Sunrise

7:26 AM

Sunset

5:09 PM

Live January Forecast

LIVE

Forecast for your trip dates

Up to 16 days ahead
Weather by Month
Monthly weather data
Month High Low Rainy days Condition
January 9°C 0°C 7 Good
February 10°C 1°C 12 Good
March 16°C 5°C 15 Wet
April 17°C 6°C 16 Excellent (best)
May 21°C 11°C 11 Excellent (best)
June 29°C 19°C 13 Wet
July 33°C 23°C 15 Wet
August 29°C 21°C 21 Wet
September 24°C 16°C 13 Excellent (best)
October 20°C 11°C 10 Excellent (best)
November 16°C 7°C 7 Good
December 8°C 0°C 6 Good

Weather data: Open-Meteo Archive (2020-2025) • Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0) • Historical avg. 2020–2025

What to Pack for January

Warm coat, scarf, gloves, thermal layers, and waterproof boots.

Climate: Moderate
Travel Context Perfect weather for walking tours and all-day sightseeing.

Planning a trip to Washington DC?

Common Questions

Is January a good time to visit Washington DC? +

January is typically Good for visiting Washington DC, with average highs of 9°C and around 7 rainy days.

What should I pack for Washington DC in January? +

With highs of 9°C and lows of 0°C in {month}, we recommend: Warm coat, scarf, gloves, thermal layers, and waterproof boots.

Does it rain a lot in Washington DC in January? +

Washington DC typically sees around 7 rainy days in January.

How many hours of daylight are there in Washington DC in January? +

In January, Washington DC gets approximately 9.7 hours of daylight per day.

Is January peak season in Washington DC? +

No, January is not peak season in Washington DC. Expect better value on accommodation and fewer tourists.

What is the best month to visit Washington DC? +

The best months to visit Washington DC are April, May, September, October, when the weather is optimal for sightseeing.

Weather Data: Based on 2020–2025 historical climate data from Open-Meteo

Solar calculations: SunCalc (timezone: America/New_York)

Last Updated: January 2026

More Washington DC Guides

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Overview

Complete travel guide for Washington DC: top things to do, itineraries, and typical costs.

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January

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