Measured, not vibes
Best Time to Visit Washington DC
By measured weather comfort, the top months for Washington DC are October, May, September — and RouteVerdict's editorial pick, which also weighs crowds and prices, is March, April, October, November. The table below is computed from ERA5 reanalysis data for 2020–2024, measured at Washington D.C. (Washington DC) (7 m elevation).
Month by month
Washington DC weather and comfort, 2020–2024
| Month | Avg high | Wet days | Comfort | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.5°C / 46°F | 9 | 19 | |
| February | 9.9°C / 50°F | 8.3 | 29 | |
| March | 14.8°C / 59°F | 7.8 | 56 | |
| April | 19.2°C / 67°F | 10 | 73 | |
| May | 23.3°C / 74°F | 9.8 | 80 | Best |
| June | 29.2°C / 85°F | 9.8 | 63 | Shoulder |
| July | 31.7°C / 89°F | 12.5 | 47 | |
| August | 29.7°C / 85°F | 13.8 | 55 | Shoulder |
| September | 25.7°C / 78°F | 9.8 | 77 | Best |
| October | 20.5°C / 69°F | 6.8 | 83 | Best |
| November | 14.5°C / 58°F | 6.5 | 56 | |
| December | 9.5°C / 49°F | 7.7 | 28 |
Comfort is RouteVerdict's 0–100 score: 100·exp(−(high−23)²/162) × (1 − min(0.35, wet days × 0.02)). The full method is on the methodology page. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (ERA5, CC BY 4.0), 2020–2024 normals. Wet day = ≥1 mm precipitation.
What the seasons are actually like
Traveling to Washington DC month by month
Washington DC's comfort score peaks in October at 83.1, with an average high of 20.5°C and 6.8 wet days, ahead of May's 80.4 and September's 76.9. RouteVerdict's editorial pick centers on March, April, October, and November — narrower than the measured top three, skipping both May and September in favor of the cooler shoulder months. Summer (June–August) is hot and humid, with July's 31.7°C the year's highest, but comfort drops to 47–63.4 across the three months. Winter (December–February) sees highs of 7.5–9.9°C and comfort scores of 18.6–28.9.
FAQ
Washington DC timing questions
What is the best month to visit Washington DC?
By measured weather comfort (ERA5 2020–2024), the top months are October, May, and September, with October scoring highest. RouteVerdict's editorial pick is March, April, October, and November, which also weighs crowds, prices, and events.
What is the hottest month in Washington DC?
July, with an average daily high of 31.7°C (89°F).
What is the rainiest month in Washington DC?
August, averaging 13.8 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation.
When is shoulder season in Washington DC?
June and August — the best-scoring months outside both the measured top three and RouteVerdict's editorial peak-season pick.
Why does Washington DC's editorial pick skip May and September despite high comfort scores?
May (80.4) and September (76.9) are both among the top three measured comfort months, but RouteVerdict's editorial pick instead narrows to March, April, October, and November.
What is Washington DC's hottest month?
July, with an average high of 31.7°C — the year's highest — and a comfort score of 47 as humidity takes its toll.