You’ve stepped outside today and felt that immediate, sharp bite on your cheeks. It's the kind of cold that makes you second-guess your choice of a light wool coat over the heavy-duty parka. Honestly, the Washington dc forecast today is doing that classic mid-January thing where it looks "fine" through a window but feels like a different planet once you’re actually standing on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Right now, the mercury is sitting at a crisp 30°F. But here is the thing: it actually feels like 24°F.
That gap is all thanks to a 6 mph breeze coming out of the west. It’s not a gale-force wind, but it’s enough to strip away whatever body heat you’re trying to hold onto. If you are heading out for a late morning coffee run or a walk around the National Mall, you are looking at partly sunny skies. It’s pretty, sure, but don't let the sun fool you into thinking it's warming up.
The Afternoon Struggle and "Conversational" Flurries
By the time we hit the peak of the day, we are only going to see a high of 37°F.
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Most people think "upper 30s" sounds manageable. In reality, with the 36% humidity making the air feel thin and dry, it’s just a steady, bone-deep cold. The UV index is a flat 1, so you don't need to worry about the sun doing much of anything besides providing a bit of glare.
There is a tiny 7% chance of precipitation—specifically snow—during the daylight hours. Local meteorologists at the Capital Weather Gang often call these "conversational flurries." Basically, they are flakes that are fun to talk about and look at through a window, but they won't actually stick to the pavement or ruin your commute. They’re just there for the vibes.
Why Tonight Changes the Game
If you have dinner plans in Adams Morgan or a late-night shift on Capitol Hill, be ready for a shift. The mostly cloudy afternoon transitions into a much more interesting night.
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The low tonight is dropping to 23°F.
That’s cold enough to freeze any damp spots on the sidewalk. But the real headline is the 35% chance of snow after midnight. We aren't talking about a Blizzard of '96 situation here—thankfully—but rather a mix of rain and snow that could leave a light dusting on the grass by the time you wake up Saturday morning.
The wind is also shifting. It'll start coming from the southwest at about 8 mph. While a south wind usually means "warm" in the summer, in January in DC, it just means we are pulling in a bit more moisture for those overnight snow showers.
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Surviving the DC Mid-January Dip
It’s easy to get complacent when the sun is out. You see a clear sky and think you can skip the gloves. Don't.
Historically, this week in January is one of the most volatile for the District. Just look at the records; on this day in 2022, we actually had a messy storm that dumped over 2 inches of snow before turning into a slushy rain mess. While today isn't that dramatic, the Washington dc forecast today serves as a reminder that winter in the District is a marathon of layers.
Keep your footwear sensible. With the humidity at 37% and temperatures hovering near freezing, any moisture that does fall tonight will likely turn into that annoying, invisible black ice on side streets.
Actionable Advice for the Rest of Your Friday
- Layer for the Wind Chill: Ignore the "30°F" on your phone and dress for the 24°F "feels like" temp. A wind-resistant outer shell is your best friend today.
- Check the "Night-Time" Prep: If you park your car outside, make sure your scraper is actually in the car and not in the back of your garage. That 35% chance of snow tonight might require a quick window clear in the morning.
- Watch the Pavements: As the sun goes down and we hit that 23°F low, any "conversational" flurries that melted during the day will re-freeze. Stick to the treated main sidewalks if you're walking.
- Plan for Saturday Morning: The morning commute tomorrow might involve a "rain and snow" mix. It’s not going to be a washout, but it’ll be damp and gray. Plan for an extra five minutes of travel time just to be safe.
The bottom line is that today is a classic, cold Friday in the capital. It’s not a weather emergency, but it’s definitely "big coat" weather. Stay warm, keep an eye on those late-night clouds, and maybe grab an extra bag of salt for the front steps just in case that midnight snow decides to be more than just conversational.