Washington D.C. · January
Run in the midday.
Cold: average high 43°F, low 27°F. Layering becomes the workout. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
Avg high / low
43° / 27°F
Humidity
67%
Rain days
12/mo
Wind
12 mph
What January feels like in Washington D.C.
Sunrise
08:23
Mid-month average
Sunset
18:11
Mid-month average
Time-of-day breakdown
Morning
Steady cool air, low wind, and good light. The standard runner window in most months.
Midday
Often the warmest few hours of a cold day. If you can only run once, midday gives you the most temperate window.
Evening
Cold drops back in fast after sunset. Tight window — done before headlamp territory.
What to wear running in Washington D.C. in January
The kit for January in Washington D.C.: cold-weather layers, gloves, and ear coverage on most mornings, a water-resistant cap or jacket on standby.
January vs the surrounding months
vs December
-6° avg high
0 rain days
Washington D.C. in December →
January
43°F avg high
12 rain days
Best: midday
vs February
-5° avg high
0 rain days
Washington D.C. in February →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of day to run in Washington D.C. in January?+
Midday. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
What's the average temperature in Washington D.C. in January?+
Average high 43°F, average low 27°F.
How does January compare to surrounding months in Washington D.C.?+
Compared to December (avg high 49°F), January is cooler. Compared to February (avg high 48°F), January is cooler.
Does it rain often in Washington D.C. in January?+
Expect about 12 measurable rain days in January, on average.