Washington local weather

Washington D.C. in close proximity to the Chesapeake Bay and located in the mid-Atlantic region, basks under a temperate climate. Winters are basically short in duration and are usually mild, spring and fall tend to linger with their own bursts of color. There are just enough seasonal differences, local residents appreciate each season and look forward to the next change.

Winter

Just cozy enough to make you feel at home with the world. One of the high seasons is in December, when dull colors of winter are warmed by the splendor of the Christmas season. The National Christmas Tree is lit and the city decorates with lights and greenery which has become a tourist attraction in itself. Snow, when it happens makes national news. It is an intermittent visitor, some years there may be a couple of traffic stopping accumulations during a season, many years the area gets off with no more than a dusting. During the daylight hours, the weather is usually warm enough for a light to medium jacket - the days may be shorter, yet many days it's mild enough for a great round of golf! Evenings may usher in a chill to the air, but taking in a great performance at the Kennedy Center or settling down around a cozy fire in a quaint Georgetown restaurant can be quite romantic and pleasurable.

Spring

The trees bud, the flowers open and bloom and the cherry blossoms take center stage in a rite of spring that brings in tourists from around the world. Across the Potomac it's garden week in Virginia, where the variety of flowers and trees endow the season with a long reign of glory. It's a prefect time to tour Mount Vernon, Arlington, Alexandria and the national battlefields of Manassas. Temperatures become quite pleasant, there are those days that wake-up and surprise you with the promise of things to come, balmy breezes and warm sunny days. Looking for a game of golf? You'll find it in abundance, on both sides of the Potomac. Keep the whole family happy with an outing to the National Zoological Park or explore the historic and amazing attractions of The Mall. For some extra special family fun, plan a day trip to Kings Dominion or Six Flags America.

Summer

You are on the northern edge of the sunny south, yet it's the wettest season. Most rain comes in thunderstorms that creep up at the close of day, so for daylight hours, dress light, a Washington summer is made for the outdoors! There's so much to see and do, if the temperature gets a bit high for a day or two, focus on touring the many indoor museums and historic structures such as The Smithsonian, The White House and the United States Capitol Building and or take a cruise down the Potomac. Most summer days are quite pleasant, starting with a warm sunny morning, (ideal for an early game of golf) and flows into a great afternoon for walking down the shady paths around the Tidal Basin to the Jefferson and Roosevelt Memorials. Evenings bring on a welcoming breeze, great for enjoying a live concert at Wolf Trap, or catching a baseball game at the Nationals Park, a perfect end to a great day

Autumn

The warm September days flow into spectacular fall color in early October and the foliage feast for the eyes flows well into November. This is one of the most beautiful times of the year in Washington. Golf is at its best. In-town and out, it's perfect weather for touring such places as Leesburg and Middleburg which host wineries that harvest their bounty in the fall. The nearby Blue Ridge mountains of Maryland and Virginia are decked out in a spectacular array of color that peaks early in October. And metro Washington welcomes the great walking weather for touring the museums and historic buildings that line the city streets. The temperatures are great, night frosts usually don’t appear until mid-November to early-December, most days are quite pleasant, a sweater or light jacket will suffice. Make Washington D.C. a favorite fall getaway, you'll be glad you did.