Halloween Weather

NOAA's October 31 Severe Weather Outlook

Rain on Halloween is a rarity in the Nation’s Capital.  Prior to today, measurable rainfall has occurred only twice on Halloween during the last 25 years, most recently in 2009.  Today’s rainfall will help push October 2019 toward the upper echelon of rainy Octobers in the Nation’s Capital.

As of yesterday, the Nation’s Capital had 5.41” of rain this month.  That’s despite having only 0.14” through October 15.  It’s also been an unusually warm month and is well positioned to finish among DC’s warmest October’s.  DC's average monthly temperature is 64.1° through October 30.  High temperatures this afternoon will reach well into the 70s. 

The unusually mild temperatures this Halloween won’t, however, approach record levels.  Today's record high for the Nation's Capital is 85° from 1950, while the record low is 26° which has occurred more than once, most recently in 1917.  The warmest Halloween in recent times was in 2004 when the high/low temperatures were 79°/59°, respectively, at National Airport.  Meanwhile, DC’s chilliest Halloween during the last 25 years occurred in 2002 with high/low temperatures of 47°/38°.

Not only will today feature much warmer than average temperatures, but NOAA's Storm Prediction Center also has a significant amount of the Mid-Atlantic Region under an enhanced risk of severe weather.  Scattered showers and thunderstorms are on tap this evening.  That will complicate Halloween activities, so it’s important for people to keep apprised of the latest weather conditions as the day wears on.

Although this Halloween’s weather has been atypical compared to the recent dry ones in the Nation’s Capital, it shouldn’t mask the fact that late October often features some of the nicest weather of the year in the Nation’s Capital.  DC’s average high/low temperatures on October 31 are 64°/46°, according to NOAA.

DC’s 10 Warmest Octobers (Source: NOAA)

1.  67.1° - 2007
2.  65.2° - 1984
3.  64.9° - 2017
4.  64.7° - 1971
5.  64.5° - 1947
6.  64.4° - 1941
7.  63.4° - 1949
8.  63.3° - 1973
9.  63.2° - 1975, 1919

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DC’s 10 Wettest Octobers (Source: NOAA)

1.  9.41” – 2005
2.  8.81” – 1937

3.  8.69” – 1885
4.  8.65” – 1995

5.  8.33” – 1942
6.  7.76” – 1976

7.  7.40” – 1932
8.  6.76” – 1902
9.  6.55” – 2007
10.  6.50” – 1877