Honestly, looking at the DC 10 day weather forecast right now is like watching a suspense thriller where the plot changes every twenty minutes. One second you're looking at a manageable 48°F, and the next, you're staring down a low of 9°F that makes you question why you ever moved to the Mid-Atlantic.
If you're in the District, you know the drill. January is the month where the city doesn't just get cold; it gets moody. We’re currently in the thick of a classic "January Thaw" exit, where the mild air says its final goodbyes and the polar vortex decides to move into your spare bedroom for a week.
The Deep Freeze is Real
Basically, we’ve got a major temperature cliff coming. Today, Sunday, January 18, we’re seeing a messy mix of rain and snow with a high of 37°F. It’s that kind of slushy, "don't wear your suede boots" weather. But the real story is what happens when you wake up on Tuesday.
We are looking at a brutal arctic blast. While Monday stays somewhat respectable at 41°F, by Tuesday, the high struggles to even reach 27°F. And Tuesday night? It’s dropping to 16°F. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know those DC wind tunnels between the federal buildings will make that feel more like zero.
What to Expect Through Late January
The back half of this 10-day stretch is where things get interesting—and by interesting, I mean potentially messy.
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- Midweek Bounce: Wednesday and Thursday (Jan 21-22) give us a tiny breather. We might hit 48°F on Thursday. It’s a "fake spring" moment. Don't let it fool you into putting the heavy parka away.
- The Weekend Snow Threat: Saturday, Jan 24, and Sunday, Jan 25, are looking increasingly gray. We’re tracking snow showers with highs stuck in the 20s. Sunday night specifically has a 40% chance of snow, which in DC is enough to trigger a grocery store bread-and-milk frenzy.
- The Monday Mess: Monday, Jan 26, is currently the outlier. We’re looking at a 65% chance of a rain and snow mix. With a low of 11°F that night, anything that falls is going to turn the side streets into ice rinks by Tuesday morning.
The Survival Strategy
You've gotta be strategic. DC weather experts, including the folks at the National Weather Service, are noting that this 2026 winter is being heavily influenced by a transitioning La Niña. This means the storm track is erratic.
If you're planning to visit the Smithsonian or walk the National Mall, Tuesday, Jan 27, is going to be your toughest day. Even with the sun out, a high of 22°F and a low of 9°F is no joke. The wind will be coming out of the northwest at 12 mph, so your face will definitely feel it.
Actionable Tips for the Next 10 Days
Since the humidity is hovering around 80% later in the week, the cold is going to feel "wet" and bone-chilling. Here is how to actually handle it:
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- Layers are a religion. On Thursday, you’ll want a light jacket for that 48°F peak, but by the time you're leaving a happy hour in Adams Morgan, it'll be dropping fast.
- Watch the Monday (Jan 26) commute. That 65% precip chance combined with the subsequent drop to 11°F is the perfect recipe for a "black ice" Tuesday. If you can telework, that’s the day to do it.
- Check your pipes. When we hit those single-digit lows on Tuesday night (Jan 27), those older Georgetown or Capitol Hill rowhouses are at risk. Drip the faucets.
Basically, the DC 10 day weather forecast is telling us to buckle up. We’re moving from slushy rain to arctic air, with a side of potential snow to keep us on our toes. Keep the heavy coat near the front door; you're going to need it more than once this week.