DC’s bizarre April weather

 

A spring day in suburban Washington, D.C. (Photo Credit: Susan Granzow)

April 2026 will finish as one of DC’s Top 10 warmest despite the recent cooler than average weather. Half of DC’s Top 10 warmest April’s occurred in just the last decade. It will also be a drier than average month that’s exacerbated the drought conditions across the DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia).

Following a warm start to April with 80-degree highs on three of the first four days, Washingtonians then experienced three consecutive days of below average temperatures from April 7 – 9. That included two days with lows in the 30s. There have been only five cooler than average days in the nation’s capital since April 9, including on April 21. That’s when DC had a low of 36°, while a record low of 27° occurred at Dulles Airport. The subfreezing temperatures across much of the DMV last week caused a lot of damage to the grape vines at some of the area wineries. 

Although temperatures will remain at or below average the rest of the month, there have already been 11 days high temperatures reached the 80s. That includes two days of 90-degree heat in Washington, D.C. Both are impressive weather benchmarks since the nation’s capital hadn’t experienced any 90-degree April heat since 2017. Washingtonians have averaged between only three and four days of 80-degree April warmth over the last 30 years, according to NOAA data.

While the nation’s capital will see additional rainfall later this week, it won’t be enough for April 2026 to finish with average rainfall. The nation’s capital averages 3.2l” of April rainfall.

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

1. 63.8° (2017)
2. 62.7° (2026) à as of April 26
3. 62.4° (2019)
4. 62.1° (2023, 1981)
6. 62.0° (1994)
7. 61.7° (2025)
8. 61.6° (1985)
9. 61.2° (1960)
10. 60.9° (2010)
11. 60.6° (1941)
12. 60.5° (2024)

Average – 58.2°