You’ve seen the forecast. You’ve probably already started wondering if it’s worth digging the heavy parka out from the back of the closet or if you can skate by with that medium-weight wool coat. Honestly, DC winters are a total roll of the dice. One minute you’re walking past the Reflecting Pool in a light sweater, and the next, the wind off the Potomac is trying to take your skin off.
Right now, Washington is sitting in a weird spot. We’re deep into January 2026, and if you’ve lived here long enough, you know this is usually when the "real" winter decides to show up or just skip town entirely.
The immediate 10 day weather forecast for dc breakdown
Basically, we are looking at a classic mid-winter transition. If you’re looking at the 10 day weather forecast for dc, the big story isn't just one single blizzard—it's the temperature roller coaster and a series of "nickel-and-dime" moisture events.
Tonight, January 17, is staying relatively quiet with clear skies and periodic clouds. The temperature is hovering around 37°F with a light breeze from the southeast. But don't let that fool you. Things are shifting.
The Weekend Shift
Saturday started off cloudy with a high of 45°F, but as we move into tonight, we’re looking at a 46% chance of a rain and snow mix. The low is bottoming out at 35°F.
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Sunday, January 18, is when it gets interesting. We’re expecting light snow during the day. The high only hits 36°F, and the low drops to 25°F. Northwest winds will be kicking up to about 10 mph. It’s that kind of damp, biting cold that makes you want to stay inside and order from every restaurant on 14th Street.
The Arctic Plunge
Monday, January 19, marks the start of what some meteorologists are calling a significant arctic intrusion. While it’ll be sunny, the high is only 38°F and the low is a bone-chilling 18°F.
Then comes Tuesday. This is likely the coldest day in the current stretch. We’re looking at a high of 27°F and a low of 17°F. That’s it. That’s the whole day. Clear skies, but the kind of cold that makes your car struggle to turn over.
Why the Polar Vortex is back in the news
You might have heard the term "Polar Vortex" being thrown around again. People love to overcomplicate it. Basically, the stratospheric winds that usually keep the coldest air trapped at the North Pole have weakened. When that happens, the cold "escapes" and spills south.
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According to data from the National Weather Service and recent stratospheric warming alerts, this isn't just a fluke. This displacement is why we’re seeing these sub-freezing lows through the middle of next week. It’s not a "snowpocalypse," but it’s definitely a "stay-under-the-blankets-pocalypse."
Mid-Week Recovery?
By Wednesday, January 21, we start a slow climb back.
- Wednesday: Sunny, High 39°F, Low 19°F.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, High 46°F, Low 29°F.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, High 35°F, Low 28°F.
It’s a brief reprieve before another system moves in next weekend. Saturday, January 24, is currently showing another rain and snow mix with a high of 36°F.
The "January Thaw" that wasn't
A lot of folks were banking on a repeat of that early January warmth we had. Remember those 50-degree days? Gone. The weak La Niña we’ve been dealing with is starting to lose its grip. Historically, January in DC averages a high of about 43°F. We are going to be well below that for a good chunk of the next ten days.
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Experts like those at Ray’s Weather and the Capital Weather Gang have been tracking this "active but variable" pattern. It means we might not get 10 inches of snow at once, but we’ll get three or four "nuisance" events that make the commute on I-95 a total nightmare.
What you actually need to do
Don't just look at the high temperatures. The lows are the real story here. When it hits 14°F (which is the forecasted low for Monday night, January 26), your pipes are at risk.
- Drip those faucets: If you live in an older rowhome in Capitol Hill or Shaw, those pipes aren't always insulated the best.
- Layers are non-negotiable: Forget the "fashion over function" rule for Tuesday.
- Check the salt: If you’re responsible for a sidewalk, get the salt ready before Saturday night's rain-snow mix turns into a sheet of ice Sunday morning.
The end of this 10-day window looks particularly brutal. Sunday, January 25, and Monday, January 26, are showing highs of only 25°F with consistent snow showers. This isn't the year to skip the winter prep.
Actionable Insight: Keep a close eye on the Sunday morning transition. The shift from rain to snow often happens faster than the apps predict in the Mid-Atlantic. If you have travel plans across the Key Bridge or up toward Baltimore, aim for Saturday afternoon before the mix starts. Prepare for a significant drop in temperatures starting Monday night by checking your heating system filters now.