January is the heart of winter in D.C., typically delivering the coldest air of the year and some of its most memorable snowstorms. The city’s biggest snowstorm on record struck during the month, yet January can still surprise — including an 80-degree day as recently as 2024. It’s a time of extremes, where bitter cold, snow and occasional springlike warmth all collide, even as long-term temperatures continue to trend upward.
Normal and record daily temperatures
Average highs start and end the month near 46 degrees, dipping to their lowest levels in between.
The coldest stretch of the year typically falls in mid- to late January, when average highs reach a low of 44 degrees (Jan. 11–21) and lows settle near 30 degrees from Jan. 9 through month’s end.
January’s extremes span a wide range — from minus-14 degrees (Jan. 1, 1881) to 80 degrees (Jan. 26, 2024).
Record daily precipitation
Frequent intrusions of cold air limit how much moisture the atmosphere can hold in January, keeping daily precipitation extremes relatively modest.
The wettest day on record brought 2.77 inches on Jan. 12, 1915.
Record daily snowfall
D.C.’s largest one-day snowfall came during the infamous Knickerbocker storm.
On Jan. 28, 1922, 28 inches fell — part of the city’s biggest snowstorm on record. The storm is named for the collapse of the Knickerbocker Theatre roof, which killed 98 people
Monthly temperatures by year
January is the coldest month of the year on average in D.C., with an average temperature of 37.5 degrees — about 4 degrees colder than December and 2.5 degrees colder than February.
The warmest January on record was 1950 (47.9 degrees), while the coldest was 1918 (23.7 degrees).
Overall, January temperatures have risen about 4 degrees since 1900.
Monthly precipitation by year
January is the second driest month of the year, averaging 2.86 inches of precipitation, largely because of repeated pushes of cold, dry air.
The wettest January on record was 1937 (7.83 inches), while the driest was 1955 (0.31 inches).
Despite considerable variability, there are indications January has trended slightly drier over time.
Monthly snowfall by year
January averages 4.9 inches of snow, a bit less than February.
The snowiest January was 1922 (31.5 inches), fueled by the Knickerbocker storm. In contrast, some years see little to no accumulation — most recently 2023, with just a trace.
Overall, January snowfall has edged lower over time but remains fairly steady in recent decades.
Coldest yearly January temperatures
The coldest January temperature on record in D.C. is minus-14 degrees (1881) — a level of cold now extremely unlikely.
In contrast, 2023 never fell below 29 degrees, tying 1937 for the warmest January minimum on record.
Around 1900, the average coldest reading each January was near 6 degrees. Today, it’s closer to 15 degrees.
Events of note
Jan. 1, 1881. The city’s coldest January temperature — minus-14 degrees — was recorded.
Jan. 7–9, 1996. The Blizzard of 1996 buried the region. 17.1 inches fell in D.C., with 24.6 inches at Dulles Airport.
Jan. 13, 1982. An Air Florida jet crashed into the 14th Street Bridge during a snowstorm, killing 78 people. The storm dropped 7.1 inches of snow in D.C.
Jan. 13, 1912. A high of 8 degrees set a record for the coldest high temperature in D.C., later tied on Jan. 19, 1994.
Jan. 17, 1994. What The Washington Post called “the worst ice storm in years” struck the region.
Jan. 19, 1961. 7.1 inches of wind-whipped snow fell, nearly disrupting John F. Kennedy’s inauguration the next day.
Jan. 20. Inauguration Day in modern times is often marked by bitter cold — most recently in 2025, when Donald Trump’s second inauguration was moved indoors.
Jan. 22, 1987. 10.8 inches of snow fell in the first of two storms within days. Another 9.2 inches followed on Jan. 25–26.
Jan. 22–23, 2016. The “Snowzilla” blizzard dropped 17.8 inches, tied for the fourth-largest snowfall on record in D.C.
Jan. 25, 2000. A surprise snowstorm delivered 9.2 inches in D.C., with up to 18 inches in parts of the region after forecasts initially showed it missing offshore.
Jan. 26, 2024. D.C. reached 80 degrees, the earliest occurrence of that temperature in a calendar year.
Jan. 27–29, 1772. The Washington-Jefferson snowstorm brought about 3 feet of snow, as documented at Mount Vernon and Monticello.
Jan. 27–29, 1922. The Knickerbocker storm dropped 28 inches, still the largest snowfall on record in D.C.
