When is the best time to visit Washington DC, United States?

In Ideal Weather mode, the best months to visit Washington DC are June, October, May, April. June is the single peak month with an Ideal Weather score of 8.5/10 based on temperature, rainfall, humidity, daylight and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

What is the weather like in Washington DC year-round?

Washington DC has a climate profile suited to sightseeing and cultural travel. Average monthly temperatures range from 2°C in January to 27°C in July, with Ideal Weather scores between 3.5 and 8.5 out of 10.

Which months should I avoid in Washington DC?

The lowest Ideal Weather-scoring months in Washington DC are December (3.5/10), January (3.8/10), February (5.8/10). These months typically combine less comfortable temperatures, higher rainfall or fewer days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

When is the rainy season in Washington DC?

December is the wettest month in Washington DC, averaging about 123 mm of rainfall. October is the driest, at roughly 43 mm.

Which is the sunniest month in Washington DC?

June sees the most sun in Washington DC, with about 29 days with 6+ hours of sunshine on average - ideal for outdoor plans.

Is Washington DC a good destination for sightseeing and cultural travel?

Washington DC is well suited to sightseeing and cultural travel. Its highest Ideal Weather window (June, October, May, April) aligns with the conditions travelers usually look for in this style of trip.

How is the bestime.to score for Washington DC calculated?

Each month receives an Ideal Weather score from 0-10 using ERA5 climate normals for Washington DC: temperature comfort, precipitation, humidity, daylight hours, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine - weighted for sightseeing and cultural travel.

Best Time to Visit Washington DC: June, October, May

January in Washington DC — off-season conditions

Hardest · 3.8/10

At 2°C (35°F) this is proper winter weather in January: layer up and split the day between outdoor highlights and indoor stops.

Budget for roughly 90 mm of rain this month — a flexible day or two helps — with almost no days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 9.6 hours of daylight to work around it.

That is 3.8/10 on the same scale — 11th of 12 months, versus 8.5/10 for the best month here.

Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.

Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip, a packable rain layer.

If your dates are flexible, June is materially better in Washington DC — 4.7 points higher on the same scale.

February in Washington DC — workable with trade-offs

Trade-offs · 5.8/10

Expect 4°C (40°F) in February. A good month for city streets, viewpoints and long meals; leave swimming for another season.

Budget for roughly 50 mm of rain this month — a flexible day or two helps — with about 6 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 10.5 hours of daylight to work around it.

That is 5.8/10 on the same scale — 10th of 12 months, versus 8.5/10 for the best month here.

Budget for mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack a mid-weight jacket, long sleeves and shoes you can walk 15 km in, a packable rain layer.

If your dates are flexible, June is materially better in Washington DC — 2.7 points higher on the same scale.

March in Washington DC — middling scores, decent value

Trade-offs · 6.4/10

March averages 8°C (46°F) — jacket weather. Comfortable for walking and museums, too cool for anything water-based.

Rainfall runs 81 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 14 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 11.7 hours of daylight.

It scores 6.4/10 here, 7th of 12 months, against 8.5/10 in the destination's best month.

Figure on mid-season pricing, with crowds are moderate.

Pack a mid-weight jacket, long sleeves and shoes you can walk 15 km in, a packable rain layer.

Flexible dates? June scores 2.1 points higher here — enough to change the trip.

April holds up well in Washington DC — 4th best month

Good · 8.1/10

Temperatures hover around 13°C (56°F) — the kind of month where neither heat nor cold forces the schedule.

Budget for roughly 80 mm of rain this month — a flexible day or two helps — with about 21 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 13 hours of daylight to work around it.

That is 8.1/10 on the same scale — 4th of 12 months, versus 8.5/10 for the best month here.

Budget for peak pricing, and this is one of the busiest months here.

Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening, a packable rain layer.

May holds up well in Washington DC — 3rd best month

Good · 8.3/10

May averages 18°C (64°F), the range most people find easiest for walking a city all day without either overheating or losing daylight to weather.

Rainfall runs 87 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 23 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 14.1 hours of daylight.

It scores 8.3/10 here, 3rd of 12 months, against 8.5/10 in the destination's best month.

Plan for peak pricing, with crowds are moderate. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.

Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening, a packable rain layer.

June in Washington DC tops the year's climate scores

Best window · 8.5/10

At 24°C (75°F) this is comfortable city weather in June, with sightseeing easiest before lunch and after the afternoon peak.

Budget for roughly 63 mm of rain this month — a flexible day or two helps — with about 29 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 14.7 hours of daylight to work around it.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Washington DC at 8.5/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect peak pricing, and crowds are moderate. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.

Pack light clothing, a hat and real sun protection, a packable rain layer.

July in Washington DC: mixed conditions, plan around the weather

Trade-offs · 6/10

Days in July average 27°C (81°F) — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.

107 mm of rain makes this a wet month here, though with about 28 days with 6+ hours of sunshine there is still bright weather between the fronts.

That is 6/10 on the same scale — 9th of 12 months, versus 8.5/10 for the best month here.

Budget for mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella.

If your dates are flexible, June is materially better in Washington DC — 2.5 points higher on the same scale.

August in Washington DC — middling scores, decent value

Trade-offs · 6.9/10

August averages 26°C (78°F) — pleasant for mornings and evenings on foot in the city, with a midday break when the sun is strongest.

Rainfall runs 98 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 25 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 13.5 hours of daylight.

It scores 6.9/10 here, 6th of 12 months, against 8.5/10 in the destination's best month.

Figure on mid-season pricing, with this is one of the busiest months here.

Pack light clothing, a hat and real sun protection, a packable rain layer.

Flexible dates? June scores 1.6 points higher here — enough to change the trip.

September in Washington DC: strong conditions, 5th of 12

Good · 7.8/10

September averages 22°C (71°F) — pleasant for mornings and evenings on foot in the city, with a midday break when the sun is strongest.

Rainfall runs 98 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 15 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 12.2 hours of daylight.

It scores 7.8/10 here, 5th of 12 months, against 8.5/10 in the destination's best month.

Figure on mid-season pricing, with crowds are moderate.

Pack light clothing, a hat and real sun protection, a packable rain layer.

October in Washington DC — reliably good (2nd best month)

Good · 8.4/10

Temperatures hover around 15°C (58°F) — the kind of month where neither heat nor cold forces the schedule.

With around 43 mm of rain, any showers tend to pass through rather than settle in; about 11 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 11 hours of daylight fill the rest.

That is 8.4/10 on the same scale — 2nd of 12 months, versus 8.5/10 for the best month here.

Budget for peak pricing, and crowds are moderate. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.

Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening.

November in Washington DC: mixed conditions, plan around the weather

Trade-offs · 6.2/10

Expect 9°C (48°F) in November. A good month for city streets, viewpoints and long meals; leave swimming for another season.

Budget for roughly 60 mm of rain this month — a flexible day or two helps — with about 3 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 9.8 hours of daylight to work around it.

That is 6.2/10 on the same scale — 8th of 12 months, versus 8.5/10 for the best month here.

Budget for mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack a mid-weight jacket, long sleeves and shoes you can walk 15 km in, a packable rain layer.

If your dates are flexible, June is materially better in Washington DC — 2.3 points higher on the same scale.