April’s warm conclusion

 

An April day along the C&O Canal

April 2025 will become one of DC’s Top 10 warmest. The consistency of April’s above average temperatures is remarkable.

Following a warm start to the month with two 80-degree days over the first week, below average temperatures occurred from April 7 – April 13. DC’s low of 34° on April 9 was the coldest April temperature in the nation’s capital since April 3, 2021 (33°). There have been only four cooler than average days since April 13.

High temperatures today and tomorrow will reach the 80s. That will give the nation’s capital an April total of nine 80-degree days, according to NOAA. That’s an impressive distinction since DC averages only between three and four 80-degree April days. A total of nine 80-degree days would also tie this month with April 2017 for highest such total over the last 30 years. That’s notable since April 2017 is DC’s warmest on record.

Despite the similarities of both April’s being much warmer than average with the same number of 80-degree days, there are two key differences. April 2017 had four record highs at National Airport, while DC hasn’t had any record highs this month. The high of 91° on April 29, 2017, also remains the last time any 90-degree April heat has occurred in the nation’s capital. By comparison, DC’s warmest temperature so far this month of 84° was on April 29.

April 2025 could also finish as a drier than average month. Despite getting 1.42” of rain on April 11 (DC’s rainiest day so far in 2025), the monthly total is only 3.02” so far. The nation’s capital averages 3.2l” of April rainfall.

Warmest April’s in Washington, D.C. (Source: NOAA)

1. 63.8° (2017)
2. 62.4° (2019)
3. 62.1° (2023, 1981)
5. 62.0° (1994)
6. 61.7° (2025)
7. 61.6° (1985)
8. 61.2° (1960)
9. 60.9° (2010)
10. 60.6° (1941)
11. 60.5° (2024)

Average – 58.2°

Weather Quiz

 

April along the C&O Canal

True or False.

 

April 2025 will become the sixth of DC’s Top 10 warmest to occur since 2010.

Ongoing drought conditions in the nation’s capital

 

NOAA's three-month precipitation outlook

The latest Drought Monitor Index shows moderate to severe drought conditions across the D.C. Metropolitan Area. That’s not good news during the spring growing season with the hotter summer months not far off.

The nation’s capital has experienced very warm and dry weather over the last year that has exacerbated the drought conditions. For the 12 months from April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025, there is a rainfall deficit of 9.15”. Since Washington, D.C. averages 41.82” of rain for the entire year, according to NOAA, an annualized rainfall deficit of more than 20% is significant.

Eight of the last 12 months have been drier than average in the nation’s capital dating back to last April. Making the dry conditions even worse is how unusually warm the last year has been. 2024 was the warmest year on record in the nation’s capital. Two of the first three months of 2025 have also been warmer than average.

Not only did Washingtonians sweat through six days of triple-digit heat last summer, but November 2024 was DC’s warmest on record. March 2025 also finished nearly seven degrees warmer than average. Adding such hot weather on top of below average rainfall makes the dry conditions even worse as moisture is lost to evaporation.

There is some hope for D.C. area gardeners with several chances of rain in the forecast over the next week. NOAA’s recently issued three-month forecast for May, June and July also contains some good news. Much of the Mid-Atlantic Region has a 50%-60% probability for above average rainfall.

The best way to make up such a significant rainfall deficit would be to have several consecutive rainier than average months. That would gradually make up the missed rainfall and is much better than having record-setting rainfall. Heavy, flooding rainfall often washes away instead of soaking into the ground. Rather than helping alleviate drought conditions, heavy rain can cause damage instead of helping gardeners and farmers.