January – Where Do We Stand?

Snow in Dupont Circle on January 7 (Credit: Mallory Hughes)

Although January often sees wide fluctuations in temperature and precipitation in the Nation’s Capital, this month has been very unusual.  Washingtonians have experienced both frigid cold and spring-like warmth since January 1.  Let’s examine a few of the key events to date.

The coldest January weather since 2014 occurred on three consecutive days with high temperatures in the 20s (January 7 – 9).  Having consecutive days with high temperatures under 30 degrees is unusual in Washington, D.C., and three or more such days is quite rare.  The first measurable snowfall of the season also occurred on January 7 at National Airport (0.4”).  By comparison, the first measurable snow of last winter occurred one year ago today.

Conversely, this month has also seen spring-like warmth with high temperatures in the 50s on three separate days.  For the first time since January 2013, high temperatures reached at least 65 degrees on consecutive days.  The high temperature of 72 degrees and 65 degrees on January 12-13, respectively, were more characteristic of April.  The difference between a high of 29 degrees on January 9 and 72 degrees just three days later is the kind of upward temperature progression that makes most people happy this time of year.  NOAA expects an increased chance for above average temperatures for much of the next two weeks.

Mid to late January is traditionally the coldest time of year based on climatology.  One of the largest snowstorms on record occurred just last year on January 22-23.  However, the weather pattern couldn’t be more different for the third week of January this year.  There will be no snow or freezing temperatures for Inauguration Day on Friday, although some rain is possible.  Any precipitation is beneficial for Washington, D.C., as much of the Mid-Atlantic Region remains under moderate drought conditions.

With 1.61” of rain at National Airport through January 16, Washington D.C. is already more than halfway to the monthly average total of 2.81”.  However, since 1997 there have been 14 Januarys that were drier than average.  Last January was a rare exception with more than triple the average amount of snow for the month in the Nation’s Capital.  But a plethora of snow doesn’t always correlate to above average monthly precipitation because dry, powdery snow has a low moisture content.