January · United States
Best time to visit Washington DC in January Weather, crowds & prices
Weather in Washington DC in January
Average temperature 2°C, 90 mm of rain, about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 83% humidity — based on the five most recent complete years of ERA5 data (2021–2025).
January score
3.8/10
Ranked #11 of 12 months
- Avg temp
- 2°C
- Rainfall
- 90 mm
- Humidity
- 83%
- Days with 6h+ sun
- 0
- Crowd Density
- Quiet / Uncrowded
- Average Expenses
- $ · Budget Friendly ($)
January in Washington DC scores 3.8/10 for sightseeing and cultural travel - ranked #11 of 12. Expect around 2°C, 90 mm of rain, and roughly 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine this month.
The National Mall lines up the Capitol, Smithsonian museums, and memorials within a walkable core.
January in Washington DC — off-season conditions
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.
Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip, a packable rain layer.
Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
If your dates are flexible, June is materially better in Washington DC — 4.7 points higher on the same scale.
Frequently asked
- What is the weather like in Washington DC in January?
- In January, Washington DC averages 2°C, 90 mm of rain, and about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Its climate-comfort score is 3.8/10.
- Is January a good time to visit Washington DC?
- January earns a 3.8/10 climate-comfort score. Use the year-round chart to weigh the weather against your budget and crowd preferences.
- How much does it rain in Washington DC in January?
- Expect about 90 mm of rain in January. Average humidity is 83% and there are about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
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Washington DC, United States. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.