Normally the thermometer doesn’t get above 32 °F on eight days a year. Crisp days can occur during December, January or February, and even in March. The coldest nights in the capital drop down to 0 degrees F (-18 °C). A night that chilly is rare though, happening only about once a decade, typically in January. Since 1970, Washington’s average winter temperature has risen 2.9 degrees from an average of 37.2 degrees in 1970 to 40.1 during the winter of 2019-2020. During the past five decades, Washington has seen the number of days with high temperatures below freezing fall from an average of about 10 to 6 per year. In this article we will talk about what you can expect weather wise when you visit Washington DC in the winter months. Most people travel to escape the cold weather, but as long as you pack some warm clothing your trip to Washington DC should not be bad at all. One of the perks to booking a guided tour is you are accommodated by being able to ride for your viewing of DC, this keeps you out of the weather elements and tucked away all warm so you can really enjoy your trip.
Winter Time in Washington DC
Winter in Washington DC
Typical DC Winter Weather
Temperatures are generally quite cold, ranging from 23 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit (-5 C to 5 C) across most of the state. While Washington does receive snow, the majority of the state’s precipitation is in the form of light showers or drizzle. Washington, District of Columbia gets 43 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year. Washington averages 14 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year. In this region, low pressure forms every winter when the sunlight disappears from the polar regions. This bubble of cold air usually remains bottled up over the polar regions. Occasional, every few years or so, the vortex is dislodged out of place but an event called sudden stratospheric warming. On average, only about 10% of Christmases in D.C. have 1 inch or more of snow on the ground. Even more rare in recent years, it hasn’t snowed on Christmas Day in D.C. since 2002, 18 years ago. D.C. has a new average snowfall, and it’s the lowest it has ever been. Out with the old and in with the new. Washington’s new “normal” snowfall, based on average amounts between 1991 and 2020, has dropped to 13.8 inches. During the three decades from 1981 to 2010, it was 15.4 inches. So, in other words if you are going to be in Washington DC and expecting a white Christmas it more than likely will not happen unfortunately. The bright side to this, is you get the chance to see all that you want to see without worrying about dealing with snow. Looking at the snow and actually commuting in the snow are two different things, so this is not all in all bad news for you.
Capitol Express Tours; Wintertime in DC
If you have not checked into booking a guided tour, you should start checking it out for a multitude of reasons. When you book a guided tour for your holiday season you are really investing in yourself and the peace of mind of having a plan for your trip. This allows you to see all you want to see in Washington DC without trying to get to the spot you want to see in a hurried manner, not to mention it is less exhausting and more enjoyable. Capitol Express Tours wants to help you make the most of your trip, and they strive to make sure every client is happy with the experience. If you have not checked them be sure to visit their site and see all of their wonderful services they offer. This environmentally friendly electric motor cart is the newest casual and exciting mode of transportation in Washington, DC. This vehicle seats 8, including your tour guide driver and up to 7 additional passengers. Your guide is a knowledgeable, experienced professional who will deliver an informative and captivating narrative of the present metropolitan configuration, as well as a historical perspective.