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.

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 1:39 AM

Mostly Clear

Feels like

78°

Humidity

55%

Wind

5 mph

Sunrise

5:54 AM

Sunset

8:14 PM

Washington, DC

Hour by hour · 24h

56°

54°

10p

54°

11p

53°

12a

53°

52°

53°

52°

53°

55°

58°

61°

10a

64°

11a

65°

12p

67°

69°

71°

73°

72°

69°

Washington, DC

7-day forecast

Today
May 16
Overcast
21%
85°51°
Sunday
May 17
Light Drizzle
19%
89°63°
Monday
May 18
Light Showers
—
97°65°
Tuesday
May 19
Overcast
—
97°66°
Wednesday
May 20
Heavy Drizzle
61%
96°69°
Thursday
May 21
Light Drizzle
49%
65°57°
Friday
May 22
Drizzle
49%
58°51°

Washington, DC

Next 24 hours · Cool now

Washington, DC

Anemometer · 24h winds · from true

From · True

277° · veering 36°

Direction

277°

Sustained

mph

Gust

mph

Peak 24h

avg 5

Beaufort · 2 · LIGHT BRZ

CALM

LIGHT AIR

1–3

LIGHT BRZ

4–7

GENTLE BRZ

8–12

MOD BRZ

13–18

FRESH BRZ

19–24

STRONG BRZ

25–31

NEAR GALE

32–38

24h · sust vs gust · mph

avg 5 · pk 17 @ 5:00p

−24h−18h−12h−6hnow

Washington, DC

Barometer · 24h pressure · mb

Pressure · mb

1013.2

-0.4 mb in 3h · falling · 29.92 inHg

Now

1013.2

-0.4

12h

-2.0

24h

-2.4

Regime · CHANGE

STORM

RAIN

CHANGE

FAIR

DRY

24h · Pressure · mb

range 1012–1017

−24h−18h−12h−6hnow

Washington, DC

Air quality

AQI

Moderate

PM 2.5: 11.8 μg/m³
PM 10: 12.2 μg/m³
NO₂: 9.0 μg/m³
Ozone: 107.0 μg/m³
UV Index: 0.0 Low

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

5:54 AM

Daylight

14h 20m

Sunset

8:14 PM

Civil dusk

12:45 AM

Planting note

Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.

Washington, DC

The moon

New Moon

0% illuminated

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

Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

Washington at a glance

Today vs. normal: 4°F above 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

Month	Plant	Harvest
January	—	—
February	—	—
March	—	—
April	lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes	—
May	lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash	lettuce, peas, radishes
June	tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash	lettuce, peas, radishes
July	tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash	tomatoes, beans, summer squash
August	—	tomatoes, beans, summer squash
September	fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots	tomatoes, beans, summer squash
October	fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots	winter 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.

Month	Mean temp	Precip	Rainy days
January	36°	3.0″	6
February	39°	2.8″	5
March	46°	4.0″	7
April	57°	3.4″	7
May	67°	4.3″	8
June	76°	4.6″	8
July	80°	4.6″	7
August	79°	3.7″	7
September	72°	4.1″	6
October	59°	4.2″	5
November	49°	3.2″	5
December	41°	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.

Roses open along the stoops

Washington at a glance

Right now in the garden

Planting calendar

A year in weather

Regional context

Naturalist notes

Frequently asked

Climate

ZIP codes in Washington