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Weather in Washington, District of Columbia

Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

Washington, DC
Sunday, May 17 at 1:51 AM
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9:56 AM
Sunset
12:15 AM
Washington, DC
7-day forecast
    Washington, DC
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    8–12
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    13–18
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    FRESH BRZ
    19–24
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    25–31
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    32–38
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    −24h−18h−12h−6hnow
    Near gale conditions — the wind is the loudest thing in the city.
    Washington, DC
    Barometer · 24h pressure · mb
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    Bright, dry, and high — distant horizons, sharp shadows.
    Washington, DC
    Air quality
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    Washington, DC
    Almanac · Sunday, May 17
    When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
    Civil dawn
    9:26 AM
    Sunrise
    9:56 AM
    Daylight
    14h 19m
    Sunset
    12:15 AM
    Civil dusk
    12:45 AM
    Planting note
    Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
    Washington, DC
    The moon
    New Moon
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    Moonrise
    9:59 AM
    Moonset
    12:40 AM
    In sign
    ♉︎ Taurus
    Washington, DC
    Microseason · 28 of 72
    May 16–20

    Roses open along the stoops

    plant
    Jan 137% of the yearDec 31

    Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

    Washington at a glance

    • Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
    • Last frost: April 9 (climatological average for this latitude)
    • Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
    • Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.

    Right now in the garden

    Warm-season window is open

    As of May 17, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.

    Planting calendar

    MonthPlantHarvest
    January——
    February——
    March——
    Aprillettuce, peas, spinach, radishes—
    Maylettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squashlettuce, peas, radishes
    Junetomatoes, peppers, beans, squashlettuce, peas, radishes
    Julytomatoes, peppers, beans, squashtomatoes, beans, summer squash
    August—tomatoes, beans, summer squash
    Septemberfall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrotstomatoes, beans, summer squash
    Octoberfall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrotswinter squash, tomatoes (last)
    November——
    December——

    A year in weather

    July brings Washington's peak temperatures at around 80°F mean, while January delivers the coldest conditions at approximately 36°F. Precipitation follows a different pattern, with July receiving the most rainfall at 4.6 inches and February seeing the least at 2.8 inches.

    MonthMean tempPrecipRainy days
    January36°3.0″6
    February39°2.8″5
    March46°4.0″7
    April57°3.4″7
    May67°4.3″8
    June76°4.6″8
    July80°4.6″7
    August79°3.7″7
    September72°4.1″6
    October59°4.2″5
    November49°3.2″5
    December41°3.7″7

    Regional context

    The city falls within the warm-summer humid continental climate classification, sharing temperature ranges, seasonal cycles, and growing conditions with other regional cities in this climate zone.

    Naturalist notes

    Cherry trees around the Tidal Basin typically reach peak bloom in early April, when daytime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F.

    Red-winged blackbirds return to area wetlands by late March, their territorial calls marking the transition from winter to spring.

    Frequently asked

    When does it freeze in Washington?
    The final spring frost usually occurs around mid-April, while the first fall frost typically arrives around mid-November.
    What is the rainy season in Washington?
    July records the highest monthly rainfall at approximately 4.6 inches, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 46 inches.
    What is the warmest month in Washington?
    July typically records the highest temperatures, with averages around 80°F.
    What is the coldest month in Washington?
    January brings the coldest temperatures, averaging approximately 36°F.
    When can I start a vegetable garden in Washington?
    Cool-season vegetables like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-April, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks later.
    How many rainy days does Washington get?
    The city experiences approximately 79 rainy days annually.
    What hardiness zone is Washington?
    Washington's USDA hardiness zone depends on average minimum winter temperatures; use the USDA's online zone finder with the city ZIP code for current zone information.

    Climate

    Washington, District of Columbia experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate. Temperatures range from January lows near 36°F to July highs averaging 80°F, creating a 44°F seasonal swing.

    Annual precipitation totals approximately 46 inches, falling across roughly 79 rainy days throughout the year.

    Location at 38.9°N latitude, along with nearby water bodies and local elevation, determines the growing seasons, frost timing, and daily weather patterns that define the region.

    ZIP codes in Washington

    Climate normals from the Open-Meteo Climate API. Köppen approximation from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Regions. See methodology for data sources, editorial rules, and corrections. Maintainer: Brian Tighe.