Verdict: Fair month
Washington, D.C. Weather in January
January is properly cold in Washington, D.C., with highs of only 7°C (45°F). Expect showers on roughly 9 days of the month — rarely trip-ruining, worth planning around. January is workable in Washington, D.C. if your dates are fixed — just plan around the conditions.
Average high
7°C / 45°F
Average low
-1°C / 30°F
Rain days
~9
Precipitation
87 mm
What to pack for Washington, D.C. in January
- A proper warm jacket, and a hat for mornings
- A packable rain shell or compact umbrella earns its space
- Comfortable walking shoes — every guide on this site assumes you'll use them
January against the rest of the year
Warmest in Washington, D.C.: Jul (32°C / 90°F) · Coolest: Jan (7°C / 45°F) · Wettest: Aug (~16 rain days)
7°
-1°
Jan
10°
0°
Feb
14°
4°
Mar
19°
8°
Apr
23°
12°
May
29°
18°
Jun
32°
21°
Jul
30°
20°
Aug
26°
16°
Sep
20°
11°
Oct
14°
5°
Nov
9°
1°
Dec
Daily highs / lows in °C · bars show rain days per month · ERA5 climate normals (2020–2024)