What Kind of Weather Can You Expect in April?

Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

Springtime is an especially beautiful time of the year in the Nation’s Capital. Following the second colder than average winter and third consecutive snowier than average March, the arrival of April and more spring-like temperatures is wonderful news for many. April features a variety of outdoors activities designed to help residents and tourists alike take advantage of the milder weather and the many sites around Washington, D.C. Some of these activities include Opening Day at Nationals Park this Monday, the National Cherry Blossom Festival and an assortment of Earth Day related events throughout the month.

There is a high degree of variability in the weather in the Mid-Atlantic Region during the month of April. For example, Washington, D.C.’s average high on April 1 is 62 degrees, but that rises to 71 degrees by April 30. Measureable snow has occurred downtown as late as April 28 when 0.5” fell in 1898. Record heat also occurs periodically such as on April 17, 2002, when it reached 95 degrees in Washington, D.C.  On April 8, 2007, there was a record low of 29 degrees in the Nation’s Capital.

Such dramatic changes in temperature often coincide with thunderstorms as the seasons continue to change. In fact, the month of April averages the third highest number of tornadoes, nationally, behind only the months of May and June according to NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center.  On April 3-4, 1974 one of the largest severe weather outbreaks on record occurred. Known as the “Super Outbreak,” there were 148 confirmed tornadoes across thirteen states from the Gulf Coast north to the Great Lakes. Tragically, these tornadoes caused 330 fatalities and injured over 5,400.

April has had some significant severe weather outbreaks more recently. On April 2, 2006, there were 86 confirmed tornadoes that caused 9 fatalities from Iowa to Tennessee. An even larger tornado outbreak occurred on April 27, 2011, when there were 292 tornadoes that claimed 230 lives. Such a high death toll underscores why severe weather awareness is so important. Last April ended on a wet note in the Mid-Atlantic Region with 4.43” of rain at National Airport from April 25 through April 30.  Dulles Airport saw even more rain with 5.69” during the same time period.

This should help illustrate the full range of weather that’s possible in this part of the country during the spring months.  So to keep apprised of the latest weather forecasts during the month of April and beyond, be sure to check out the WUSA9 weather homepage.