Feeling Like Fall

 

October has gotten off to a near average start in the Nation’s Capital.  During the past two weeks, average temperatures (based on daily high and low temperatures) are within a degree of average.  The month has been slightly wetter than average so far, courtesy of the 1.54” of rain from the remnants of Hurricane Delta that passed through the DC Metro Area on October 11-12.  Aside from that, the month has been largely dry.

In fact, during the five-day period from October 6 – 10, the weather was predominantly sunny and stellar in the Nation’s Capital with temperatures near to slightly warmer than average.  Residents and tourists got a sample of why many Washingtonians consider the fall to be the nicest time of year. 

When fall-like weather arrives can vary from one year to the next.  Such was the case the last two years when October got off to a very hot and summer-like start.  Washingtonians experienced record high temperatures in the 90s in early October 2018 and 2019.  That was the first time on record Washingtonians have experienced 90° heat in consecutive Octobers.  By comparison, DC residents experienced the final 90° temperature of 2020 on September 4 – roughly a month earlier than the last two years.

October is a transitional weather month in the Nation’s Capital.  Summer-like heat isn’t as frequent as it is in September, but can still occur.  The heat wave that occurred from October 7 – 9, 2007 and was DC’s warmest October on record.  By comparison, some may recall the snow that fell in parts of the DC Metro Area on October 29, 2011, accompanied by a record low-high temperature of 42° at National Airport.  That was an extreme example, however, as winter’s chill more often makes an appearance in mid-to-late November, rather than in October.

While October has been warmer than average more frequently than not over the last decade, five of the last 10 October’s have been wetter than average in the Nation’s Capital.  That’s often dependent on whether the DC Metro Area sees any impacts from tropical systems.  But not always, as last October was DC’s ninth wettest with 6.66” of rain without any direct tropical impacts.  Meanwhile, only six days were cooler than average last October and that helped make October 2019 DC’s seventh warmest on record.

In short, the lack of extreme summer heat or winter-like chill helps make October a more pleasant month in the Nation’s Capital.  Average high temperatures range from 74° on October 1, to 64° on October 31.  That’s ideal for any type of outdoor activity from dog walking, tailgating or visiting a DC Area winery.  NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center expects warmer and wetter than average conditions to dominate DC Area weather headlines over the next seven to 10 days.