ClimateForecastJanuaryFebruary >>

Washington DC weather in January (United States of America)

What should you pack for a trip to Washington DC in January? Find out what kind of weather to expect during this month.

Temperatures

In January, Washington DC tends to experience low temperatures and moderate snow/rainfall. January ushers in the winter season. You can expect daytime temperatures to reach around 7°C, while the nights will see a decline to about -2°C. With temperatures often at their lowest, this month is coldest of the year. Ideal for indoor activities, be sure to pack warm clothing.

Precipitation

Washington DC in January usually receives moderate snow/rainfall, averaging around 62 mm for the month. This is the driest month of the year. Typically, you can expect about 10 days of snow/rain this month.

Average sunshine

The area enjoys a moderate level of sunlight, with around 144 hours. It's a good balance between sunny and cloudy days.

If you're looking for dry conditions and comfortable temperatures, January may not be the ideal month to visit Washington DC. April and September generally stand out with the best circumstances. While January, February and December tend to showcase less optimal conditions.

For an in-depth look at the yearly conditions, visit our specialized Washington DC climate page with graphs.

 

Washington DC, monthly averages in January

Min TemperatureMin Temperature -2°C  
Max TemperatureMax Temperature 7°C  
Chance of RainChance of Rain 33%  
PrecipitationPrecipitation 62 mm  
Rainy daysRainy days 10 days  
HumidityHumidity 62%  
WindspeedWindspeed 18 km/h  
SunshineSunshine 144 hours  
Percentage SunshinePercentage Sunshine 48%  

Where to go in the United States of America in January

Find out more about the weather in the United States of America and which places have the best travel conditions in this month.

Map not visible? Whoops sorry! Please refresh the page.
Legend perfect weather pleasant tolerable unpleasant poor
Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C and 29°C and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm a month).

So, what should you wear in this month?

Wear a base layer in cold weather; this is the #1 thing you can do to increase your overall body temperature.

What To Do

We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.

Swimming
5/10
Cycling
4/10
Walking
4/10
Camping
1/10
Outdoor sports
4/10

Interested in more climate information?

This site provides you with all the information you need about the climate in Washington DC.

Our site offers climate and forecast data for every country in the world. Are you going to the United States of America? On this website you can find historical weather averages for many cities in the United States of America. Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.