When to go · Washington
Washington, month by month
The best months for Washington: Apr, May, Sep, Oct. Months to avoid: Jul, Aug.
Month by month
- JanuaryMixedOutside the best window (Apr–May, Sep–Oct). Across United States: Cold and snowy north and in the mountains; Florida, Hawaii and the desert Southwest are the picks.12 °C (54 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Low
- FebruaryMixedOutside the best window (Apr–May, Sep–Oct). Across United States: Still winter north; ski season in the Rockies; Presidents' Day weekend busy. Mardi Gras in New Orleans (date varies).14 °C (57 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- MarchGoodOutside the best window (Apr–May, Sep–Oct). Across United States: Spring break fills Florida beaches and parks; the desert parks come into season.18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- AprilGreatInside Washington's best window: Apr–May, Sep–Oct.23 °C (73 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- MayGreatInside Washington's best window: Apr–May, Sep–Oct.27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneGoodOutside the best window (Apr–May, Sep–Oct). Across United States: Rockies and northern parks open; desert heat builds; hurricane season starts. Book parks months ahead.31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 10 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 10 rain daysCrowds: High
- JulyAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), hurricane season peak Sep–Oct.33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 11 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AugustAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), hurricane season peak Sep–Oct.32 °C (90 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 10 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 10 rain daysCrowds: High
- SeptemberGreatInside Washington's best window: Apr–May, Sep–Oct.29 °C (84 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 8 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- OctoberGreatInside Washington's best window: Apr–May, Sep–Oct.24 °C (75 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 7 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- NovemberMixedOutside the best window (Apr–May, Sep–Oct). Across United States: Quiet between holidays; Thanksgiving week is the busiest travel period of the year.19 °C (66 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 7 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 7 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberMixedOutside the best window (Apr–May, Sep–Oct). Across United States: Holiday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.14 °C (57 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Washington, side by side.
Verdict
Apr: Great
May: Great
Daytime high
Apr: 23 °C (73 °F)73 °F (23 °C)
May: 27 °C (81 °F)81 °F (27 °C)
Night low
Apr: 10 °C (50 °F)50 °F (10 °C)
May: 15 °C (59 °F)59 °F (15 °C)
Rain days
Apr: 8 (better)
May: 9
Crowds
Apr: Medium
May: Medium
Prices
Apr: Medium
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Apr: 1
May: 1
April: Inside Washington's best window: Apr–May, Sep–Oct.
May: Inside Washington's best window: Apr–May, Sep–Oct.
Washington: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.