Home › Washington › Best time to visit
Best time to visit Washington: month by month
Short answer
March to May and September to November are the best times, with highs of 14–26°C. The cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin usually peak in late March to early April, the most crowded period. Summer is hot and humid at 29–31°C, and winter is cold, with highs of 7–10°C.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7°C | -1°C | 11 | low |
| Feb | 10°C | 0°C | 10 | low |
| Mar | 14°C | 3°C | 8 | high |
| Apr | 20°C | 8°C | 12 | very high |
| May | 24°C | 12°C | 11 | high |
| Jun | 29°C | 18°C | 12 | high |
| Jul | 31°C | 21°C | 16 | high |
| Aug | 30°C | 21°C | 16 | medium |
| Sep | 26°C | 17°C | 11 | medium |
| Oct | 21°C | 11°C | 9 | medium |
| Nov | 14°C | 4°C | 7 | medium |
| Dec | 10°C | 1°C | 9 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from 14°C to 24°C; the cherry blossom festival in late March–early April brings huge crowds.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot and humid at 29–31°C with thunderstorms; 4 July fireworks over the Mall.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Highs fall from 26°C to 14°C; October and November are among the drier months and great for walking.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold at 7–10°C by day and around freezing at night; occasional snow and the fewest crowds.
Events worth planning around
- National Cherry Blossom Festival (late March–early April)
- Independence Day fireworks on the Mall (4 July)
- Smithsonian Folklife Festival (late June–early July)
- National Christmas Tree lighting (early December)
When to avoid
July and August are hot and humid. The cherry blossom peak brings the biggest crowds and highest hotel prices.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
When is the best time to visit Washington?
March to May and September to November, with mild weather.
When are the cherry blossoms?
Peak bloom is usually late March to early April; the National Park Service forecasts the date each year.
Is Washington too hot in summer?
It is hot and humid at 29–31°C. Museums offer air-conditioned breaks.