You’ve stepped out of Union Station, bag in hand, expecting a dignified, crisp winter morning in the nation’s capital. Instead, you're met with a confusing mix of damp pavement and a wind that feels like it’s personally offended by your light jacket. That’s the thing about the weather for washington dc—it doesn’t really care about the "average" numbers you read on a travel blog.
Right now, as of early Saturday morning, January 17, 2026, the city is sitting under a thick blanket of clouds with a temperature of 35°F. Honestly, it feels much colder than that. Thanks to a 9 mph wind coming from the south, the "feels like" temperature is actually bottoming out at 28°F. If you’re heading out for a coffee at 7:00 AM, that humidity—currently at 45%—is going to make the air feel heavy and sharp.
What to Expect Throughout the Day
Don't let the current cloudy sky fool you into thinking it'll stay dry. We are looking at a messy Saturday.
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The high for today is expected to reach 46°F, but it’s going to be a "wet" 46. There is a 67% chance of light rain during the daylight hours. It’s that kind of annoying, misty drizzle that doesn't quite require a heavy umbrella but will definitely soak through a wool coat if you’re walking the length of the National Mall.
By tonight, things take a turn toward the wintry. The temperature is going to drop to a low of 34°F. While that's technically just above freezing, the precipitation is expected to transition into snow. The chance isn't huge—about 25%—but it’s enough that you might see some "conversational snowflakes" (as the local meteorologists at the Capital Weather Gang love to call them) sticking to the grass or the tops of cars by Sunday morning.
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The Saturday Breakdown
- Daytime: Light rain, high of 46°F, 11 mph winds from the southwest.
- Evening: Transition to snow, low of 34°F, humidity jumping to 57%.
- Vibe: Gray, damp, and definitely requires waterproof boots.
The Weird Science of DC’s Microclimates
The weather for washington dc is notoriously fickle because the city sits in a literal bowl. You have the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers creating a humidity trap, while the "urban heat island" effect means the sidewalk in front of the White House might be three degrees warmer than a backyard in Upper Northwest.
If you are planning to visit the monuments today, remember that the wind off the Tidal Basin is always more aggressive than the wind on K Street. That southwest wind at 11 mph might feel like a breeze downtown, but near the Lincoln Memorial, it’ll cut right through you.
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Survival Tips for a Gray DC Saturday
Most people get DC weather wrong by over-dressing in heavy parkas that they then have to carry through heated museums.
- The Layering Rule: Wear a moisture-wicking base. Since it's 46°F today with rain, a heavy winter coat will make you sweat while walking, and then you’ll freeze when you stop. A rain shell over a light puffer is the pro move.
- Footwear Strategy: Today is not the day for suede. With a 67% rain chance and a transition to snow tonight, the slush factor will be high.
- Timing the Museums: The heaviest rain is likely this afternoon. This is your signal to duck into the National Gallery of Art or the Smithsonian around 1:00 PM and stay there until the sun (or what’s left of it) goes down.
The UV index is a flat 1 today, so you don't need to worry about the sun. You do, however, need to worry about the visibility. If you were hoping for that perfect shot of the Capitol from the top of the Old Post Office Tower, the cloud cover and mist might make it look more like a scene from a noir film than a postcard.
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep a close eye on the radar if you are driving toward Dulles or BWI tonight. While the snow chance is only 25% for the District, northern Virginia and Maryland suburbs often see higher accumulations. If you see the rain turning to white flakes around 9:00 PM, it's time to head in. For tomorrow, prepare for a sharper chill as the system moves out and leaves behind much colder, drier air.