Washington D.C. Weather History
District of Columbia · US States · Weather data 1976–today
Washington D.C. sits 4331km from the equator, 2m above sea level. That combination gives it a climate with hot, humid summers, mild winters, and rain year round (Humid subtropical climate). Its record high is 41.1°C, set 2012-07-07, its record low -24.5°C, set 1982-01-17.
Data through August 4, 2026.
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Washington D.C.
What is the hottest temperature ever recorded in Washington D.C.?
The highest temperature in this record for Washington D.C. is 41.1°C, measured on 2012-07-07. That is a recorded daily value from Washington D.C.'s own series covering 1976 to 2025, not an estimate or a regional average.
What is the coldest temperature ever recorded in Washington D.C.?
The lowest temperature in this record for Washington D.C. is -24.5°C, measured on 1982-01-17. Together with the heat record above, that spans the full range this city has actually experienced across 1976 to 2025.
How much rain does Washington D.C. get a year?
Washington D.C. averages 1101mm of precipitation a year, spread across roughly 118 days with at least 1mm. That average is taken over 50 complete calendar years, so one exceptionally wet or dry year does not set the figure.
What was the wettest day on record in Washington D.C.?
On 1999-09-16, 148.7mm fell on Washington D.C., the highest single-day total in this series. For scale, that is roughly 14% of what the city receives in an average full year, in one day.
How many hours of sunshine does Washington D.C. get a year?
Washington D.C. averages 3267 sunshine hours a year, which works out to about 9.0 hours a day across the whole year. Sunshine hours measure the time direct sunlight actually reaches the ground, not simply how long it is light.
How warm are summers and how cold are winters in Washington D.C.?
Across the summer months Washington D.C. averages a daytime high near 29.7°C, while winter nights average -1.7°C. The seasons here are set from Washington D.C.'s position relative to the equator rather than a fixed northern-hemisphere calendar.
What is the strongest wind recorded in Washington D.C.?
The strongest wind speed recorded in Washington D.C. is 49 km/h, on 2018-03-02. That is the daily maximum sustained wind rather than the peak gust, which typically runs higher still.
