A Warm Start to the 21st Century

The 10-year period from 2010 – 2019 was a warm one in the Nation's Capital.  During the last decade, seven months set records for DC’s warmest: February (2017), March (2012), April (2017), May (2015), June (2010), July (2011) and December (2015).

The summers of 2010 and 2011 were memorable in the Nation's Capital due to triple-digit heat and record heat. While June 2010 was DC's hottest, July 2010 finished tied for third warmest.  July 2011 was DC's hottest on record and finished with three days of at least 100° heat.  That’s in addition to low temperatures that remained a very oppressive 80°/+ on seven days.

There have also been some very warm spring months in the Nation's Capital over the last decade.  March 2012 is a good example, with highs on four days in the 80s.  By comparison, it had only two days with temperatures =/<32°.  April 2017 was also exceptionally warm with nine days of summer-like high temperatures in the 80s and DC's first 90° April temperature since 2013 (91° on April 29).  May 2015 was also DC's warmest.

December 2015 was a remarkable month in the Nation's Capital because it had three days with high temperatures in the 70s.  That's compared to only two days of low temperatures of 32° or colder.  The month also featured 11 days with highs in the 60s that contributed to the average monthly temperature (combining daily high/low temperatures) of 56.0°.  That's 10° warmer than average and more characteristic of April than December.  February 2017 also became DC's warmest on record.  There were only five colder than average days for the entire month.  Meanwhile, it had six days with high temperatures in the 70s. 

While January 2020 won't set a new record for DC's warmest, it’s poised to finish as DC's 12^th warmest.  With a monthly average temperature of 42.5° through January 30, and slightly warmer than average temperatures today, this month is also well positioned to finish as DC’s warmest January since 2006.  NOAA expects the warmer than average temperatures to continue through the first half of February.

Warmest January’s in the Nation’s Capital (Source: NOAA)

1.  48° (1950)
2.  46.8° (1932)
3.  43.8° (1937, 1890)
5.  43.6° (1990, 1913)
7.  43.1° (2006)
8.  43.0° (1998)
9.  42.9° (1974)
10.  42.6° (1949, 1933)
12.  42.1° (2017)