So, if you’re looking out the window in DC tonight, things look a little... grey. Standard winter vibes, honestly. But don't let the quiet fool you. The current washington dc weather report today shows a temperature of 37°F as of late Friday night, January 16, 2026.
It feels more like 30°F though. That’s the wind chill talking. A 9 mph breeze from the south is just enough to make you pull your coat a bit tighter if you're walking the dog near the National Mall. Humidity is sitting low at 35%, and the sky is completely cloudy. It’s that classic, heavy mid-January overcast that feels like it’s holding a secret.
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Why Tomorrow’s Forecast Is Getting All the Hype
Basically, we’re at the starting line of a messy weekend. While tonight is just "cloudy and cold," Saturday, January 17, is when the real action starts.
Expect a high of 44°F and a low of 34°F. That 10-degree gap is actually a huge deal because it’s the difference between "pretty snow" and "slushy mess."
The morning looks like a 60% chance of a rain and snow mix. If you’re in the city, you’ll probably see more rain or melting slush. But if you’re further out toward Frederick or Loudoun, you might actually see some white on the grass. By the time we hit tomorrow night, it shifts to scattered snow showers with a low of 34°F.
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- Current Temp: 37°F
- Feels Like: 30°F
- Sky: Cloudy
- Wind: 9 mph South
- UV Index: 0 (It's nighttime, after all)
The Arctic Outbreak Nobody Talks About
Most people are focused on whether they’ll need a shovel tomorrow (spoiler: probably not inside the Beltway). But the real story is the "Arctic Outbreak" the National Weather Service is tracking for early next week.
We’re talking about a serious plunge in temperatures. By Monday night, we could be looking at lows in the 10°F to 15°F range. Tuesday won't even break freezing, with a high only hitting 28°F.
It’s a classic La Niña pattern. We get these weird, wet systems that can’t quite decide if they want to be snow or rain, followed by a punishing slap of dry, frigid air from the north.
What This Means for Your Weekend Plans
If you were planning a hike at Rock Creek Park tomorrow morning, maybe bring the waterproof boots. The transition from snow to rain is going to be sloppy.
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The wind is also going to pick up. We’re expecting southwest gusts around 10 mph tomorrow, which will keep that "real feel" temperature significantly lower than the actual thermometer reading.
Interestingly, there's a bit of drama with an offshore storm developing Sunday. While most of that moisture should stay east of us, there’s still a 40% chance of snow flurries on Sunday. It’s one of those "wait and see" situations that local meteorologists love to debate.
Practical Steps for the Next 24 Hours
Honestly, don't worry about the salt for your driveway just yet. With a high of 44°F tomorrow, most of what falls will melt pretty quickly on treated surfaces.
Check your tire pressure. These 40-degree swings are notorious for triggering those annoying "low pressure" sensors. Also, if you have outdoor plants that aren't fans of the teens, start thinking about moving them or covering them by Sunday night. That's when the real deep freeze begins.
Keep an eye on the Saturday morning radar if you have to commute. The heaviest "bursts" of snow are predicted for the morning hours before the warm-up kicks in.