Nearing Record Territory For April

Today will mark the first of a likely five-day stretch with temperatures in the 80s in the Nation’s Capital.  In fact, the Nation’s Capital hasn’t had five or more consecutive days with April temperatures in the 80s since 2002.  Temperatures this weekend will approach 90 degrees in parts of the DC Metro Area.  The last time it was 90 degrees in Washington, D.C. in April was in 2013.  The last consecutive 90-degree days in DC during the month of April occurred in 2010.

Despite four significantly cooler than average days (April 22 – 25), this month is still poised to set a new record for warmest April in Washington, D.C., breaking the existing record from 1981.  If this month finishes as the warmest April on record, then it would join February was Washington, D.C.’s second record warmest month of 2017.  This month could also finish drier than average as well, since the Nation’s Capital averages 3.06” of April rainfall and only 2.62” has occurred through April 26.

This month’s warmer and drier than average weather continues a common trend over the last two years.  Since May 2015, Washingtonians have had three of their warmest months on record (May 2015, December 2015 and February 2017) with several months in between ranking in the Top Ten for warmest on record.  Last summer Washingtonians experienced the sixth warmest July and second warmest August on record.  In a rare occurrence, both July and August 2016 finished with the same monthly average temperature (82.7 degrees) at National Airport. 

The sustained warmer than average weather has acerbated the dry conditions in the DC Metro Area.  Since August 1, 2015, the rainfall deficit has grown to more than 13” in Washington, D.C. and more than 11” at Dulles Airport.  Just since October 1 when the “water year” as defined by the U.S. Geological Survey began, the rainfall deficit in the Nation’s Capital is more than 7.5”.  It’s been nearly a year since the last wetter than average month in Washington, D.C. (May 2016). 

The drier than average conditions have lasted so long, that moderate drought conditions have enveloped much of the Mid-Atlantic Region.  The fact this spring hasn’t provided any significant drought relief isn’t good news for gardeners and farmers.  NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is expecting May to be a warmer than average month in the Mid-Atlantic Region, despite potentially cooler than average temperatures close to Mother’s Day.  Also, there is an equal chance for above or below average precipitation next month.  

Warmest Aprils on Record in Washington, D.C. in degrees Fahrenheit (Source: NOAA)

1.  62.1 (1981)
2.  62.0 (1994), (2017 through April 26)
3.  61.6 (1985)
4.  61.2 (1960)
5.  60.9 (2010)