When to go to Washington DC?

The National Mall runs from the Capitol's dome to the Lincoln Memorial, the Reflecting Pool lying flat between them. Along its edges the Smithsonian museums, free to enter, hold air and space, American painting and dinosaur bones in roughly equal measure. Washington is a city for walking, and for looking up at pale stone under a wide eastern sky.
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The best time to go
For the best weather in Washington DC, aim for May to August, October.
See also: Where to go in May? · Where to go in June? · Where to go in July? · Where to go in August?
Month-by-month weather in Washington DC
| Month | ☀️ h/day | 🌧️ mm | 🌡️ °C | Score /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5.8 | 103 | 3 | 50 |
| February | 7.5 | 68 | 5 | 58 |
| March | 7.9 | 105 | 8 | 57 |
| April | 9.3 | 94 | 14 | 64 |
| May | 9.6 | 117 | 18 | 65 |
| June | 11.8 | 111 | 23 | 76 |
| July | 11.6 | 171 | 26 | 72 |
| August | 11.1 | 134 | 24 | 74 |
| September | 8.7 | 121 | 21 | 65 |
| October | 8.7 | 54 | 14 | 69 |
| November | 7.9 | 76 | 9 | 61 |
| December | 6.2 | 135 | 4 | 50 |
Estimated from 3 years of data. The score (0–100) combines sunshine, dry weather, clear skies and temperature.
The climate in brief
In Washington DC, the sunniest month is June, and the driest is October (about 54 mm). Temperatures peak in July (about 26°C). Over the year, an average of 1,288 mm of rain falls, and 5 months in 12 offer ideal weather for a trip.
What to do in Washington DC?
- National Mall and monuments
- Capitol and White House
- Smithsonian museums (free)
- Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool
Practical info
- Country: United States
Destinations near Washington DC
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