You’ve probably already looked at your phone and seen that little gray cloud icon. It’s a classic mid-January morning in the District, and honestly, it feels every bit like the 38°F it currently is. But if you’re planning to just grab a light jacket and head to the National Mall or commute into the city, you might want to rethink that.
The Washington DC weather today is basically a bait-and-switch.
Right now, it’s just cloudy. A bit of a "blah" start. We’ve got southwest winds kicking around at about 8 mph, which doesn’t sound like much until you realize the "feels like" temperature is actually sitting at a crisp 32°F. If you’re standing in the shadow of the Smithsonian buildings, that damp cold is going to bite.
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The Afternoon Melt-and-Mix
Here is where things get weird. We are looking at a high of 44°F today, which sounds almost pleasant for January 17th. But don't let the number fool you.
The National Weather Service is tracking a system that brings a 53% chance of precipitation during the daylight hours. While the current conditions are just "cloudy," that’s going to transition into light rain as the afternoon progresses. Because the air is still holding onto that winter chill, we are seeing a weird setup where it’s rain, but it’s cold rain.
You know the kind. The kind that soaks through a wool coat in five minutes.
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Why Tonight is the Real Problem
If you have dinner plans in Adams Morgan or you're heading to a show at The Anthem, the ride home is going to be the tricky part.
As the sun goes down, the Washington DC weather today takes a turn for the messy. The high of 44°F drops back down toward a low of 34°F. That’s the danger zone. When the temperature hovers right above freezing, the precipitation is expected to transition into a "rain and snow" mix.
- Precipitation Type: Snow and rain mix
- Chance of Precip: 35% after dark
- Wind Factor: Southwest at 9 mph
Historically, DC doesn't handle "mix" very well. We aren't talking about a Snowmaggedon event here—far from it—but the transition from wet roads to slushy patches is exactly what causes those nightmare delays on I-66 and the Beltway.
The Science of the "D.C. Slush"
Meteorologists often talk about the "rain-snow line." In the DMV, that line usually sits right on top of the Potomac. Because of the urban heat island effect, downtown DC often stays just a degree or two warmer than the suburbs in Fairfax or Montgomery County.
Today, that effect is going to be the difference between a cold drizzle and a few wet flakes. If you’re further north toward Silver Spring, you’re much more likely to see the "snow" part of that "rain and snow" forecast than someone standing at the Wharf.
Honestly, the humidity is sitting at 53% for the day, which means the air isn't dry enough for that crisp, fluffy snow. This is going to be heavy, wet stuff. The kind that makes your socks damp the second you step off the curb into a gutter puddle.
Dealing with the Washington DC Weather Today
Look, we’ve all lived through worse, but this kind of weather is the ultimate "layering" challenge.
Since the UV index is a flat 1, you don't need to worry about the sun. You need to worry about the moisture. A waterproof shell over a fleece is basically the official uniform for a day like this.
What you should actually do:
Check the radar around 3:00 PM. That’s when the "light rain" mentioned in the daily forecast is likely to start picking up. If the temperature starts dropping faster than predicted, that 53% chance of "snow" precipitation for the daytime could trigger earlier than the evening transition.
- Check your tires. Even a little bit of slush on DC's aging asphalt can turn a commute into a slide.
- Waterproof your shoes. Seriously. 34-degree slush is a special kind of misery.
- Plan for Metro delays. Above-ground tracks can get slick, and the system usually slows down once the "mix" starts falling.
The Washington DC weather today isn't going to break any records, but it is going to be a nuisance. Keep an eye on the southwest wind; it's bringing in just enough moisture to keep things damp without being warm enough to make it feel like spring.
Tomorrow actually looks colder and even more "unsettled" with periods of rain and snow continuing throughout the day and highs only reaching the mid-30s. So, if you were hoping for a clear Sunday to make up for a messy Saturday, I've got bad news for you. Grab the umbrella and the heavy boots—you're gonna need 'em.