Average Monthly Sunshine in Washington (DC)

The graphs on this page shows the average number of hours per month and per day that Washington receives direct sunlight. The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average.

Monthly hours of sunshine

If you're visiting Washington, timing is key. In June, you can enjoy up to 282 hours of sunshine, while the shorter days of December provide just 130 hours. The total annual amount of sun is 2520 hours.

Daily hours of sunshine

Seasonal changes in sunshine hours are quite obvious in Washington. While June receives considerable daily sunshine with up to 9.4 hours, December marks the darkest time of the year, where sunshine is scarce with only 4.3 hours of sunlight per day.

Washington’s total hours of sunshine compared to other major cities

Washington enjoys an average of 2520 hours of sunshine annually. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:

The city of Rome, Italy, experiences 2470 hours of sunshine annually, adding to its charm as a year-round tourist destination.

In contrast, Reykjavík, Iceland, receives only about 1330 hours of sunshine per year, known for its frequently overcast and rainy skies.

Beijing, China, has 2505 hours of sunshine annually, with clear, sunny days in winter.

In Brisbane, Australia, the annual sunshine averages 2999 hours, making it one of Australia’s sunniest cities.

Other climate information

June, Washington’s wettest month, receives 91 mm of rainfall and has a maximum daytime temperature of 29°C. During the driest month February you can expect a temperature of 7°C.

For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, check out our Temperature page. To explore more about precipitation patterns, visit our Washington Precipitation page.