I’ll be in D.C. for a few days next week on vacation and I’ve never been there in winter. I’ll bring jackets and the like along of course, but generally speaking how cold is D.C. in January? Is it cold as in “bring earmuffs and a headscarf and a double down stuffed jacket” or as in “a warm jacket and cap should be fine” usually? (I know of course that all is tentative on the weather’s fickle mood, but this is speaking generally; in summer and fall when I’ve been there the weather’s roughly similar to Alabama only a bit more moderate, but I’ve been told the city has northern winters except not as much snow.)
The last few weeks, it’s been 50s-60s during the day and just above freezing at night. The two most brutal snowfalls the DC area has ever seen have been after unseasonably warm Decembers, but one of those was in 1985 and the other time was in 1996.
A lined jacket with gloves should suffice for most of your trip. Be ready to buy a cheap down jacket on short notice, though.
The climate down here has changed. Low 50s for highs is the new “normal.”
The kind of mild weather we’re having is subject to unpredictable change. But since you’ll be here next week, it probably won’t change much.
DC is typically mild in the winter. Sustained temps below freezing are considered a cold snap. Once in 1984 we had below-zero temps though that’s very unusual. People here complain about how cold it is when it goes below 40 :rolleyes: (I spent 8 years in Ann Arbor; one winter it never got out of the single digits for at least two weeks.)
It also depends on how much time you’ll spend outside. For walking from my car to my office building or grocery store and back I don’t get bundled up; I’ve been wearing a leather jacket, no gloves. But for walking around a lot for sightseeing you need to dress warmer, particularly after dark.
So a warm jacket should be fine but bring a sweater and another layer or two to add underneath if needed.
I agree with everyone here. Add a 10 day forecast and say you may need an umbrella.
If you look this up thread up at some distant furture date in archive these temps we are having now are about 10 degrees warmer than average for DC
Thanks. Sounds about like Alabama weather, just a tad cooler.
Unrelated question, but while I’ve been to D.C. several times this is the first time I’ve driven so I’ve never had to look for parking places and all. Would you recommend just taking the metro for sightseeing or can you find parking decks near the Smithsonian (the main thing I’m interested in)?
By all means, take the metro. Finding parking in DC on a weekday is not impossible, but it will likely cost you a decent amount. The metro will leave you near all Smithsonian museums.
If you know the area around the Mall really well, it’s possible to find a parking space that’s not too far for walking to the Smithsonian. I presume you don’t know the area extremely well, though. I’d recommend that you stick to using the Metro.
Metro. The only major tourist attractions not served directly by Metro rail are Georgetown and Adams-Morgan, and it’s harder to park in those neighborhoods than practically anyplace else in DC. Also, both of these places are a bridge and three blocks from a Metro station.
The next logical question is “What should I eat in Washington?” DC has the best Ethiopian restaurants in the country, possibly the world, 5 or 6 in Adams-Morgan alone. Come on out to the suburbs and you’ll find an embarrassment of terrific Peruvian chicken places.
Another semi-local advising the Metro. I drive to Greenbelt station or Silver Spring (Maryland suburbs) and then take Metro in when I have people visiting.
Ooh yum. I’ve had Ethiopian in DC before but not Peruvian. Where would I find those? (My two favorite restaurants in D.C. are probably Zaytinya’s and, just for novelty, the diner at the Museum of the American Indian, but I want to try something else for variety.)
I’ve been to D.C. numerous times on business but I’ve always had to attend bloody boring librarian conferences all day that didn’t let out until 10 minutes before the attractions closed, which is the reason I’m going back as a tourist. I also want to see George Mason U. as I’m considering grad school/a job there. I know the Metro fairly well but the only driving I’ve done in the city was to and from my hotel when I arrived and departed.
Since you’re now looking for opinions, let’s try IMHO.
samclem
I was considering offering to meet you for a drink or something anyway, but this clinches it: I’m currently going to GMU for grad school and would be so happy to take you there. 
I’m at work right now, but will e-mail you the moment I get home. Please check the e-mail address in your profile this evening if you’re at all interested.
The two best Ethiopian restaurants are Fasika’s and Red Sea, practically next door to each other on 17th St. about two blocks south of Columbia Rd. on Adams-Morgan. Fasika’s has the funky authentic chairs and tables, and some nights there’s a Jazz band there. Red Sea has more conventional restaurant ambience, but the food is excellent.
Peruvian chicken places are pretty ubiquitous in Arlington (Two of the best are walking distance from Ballston Metro) and Falls Church.
As for the George Mason campus–forget Metro. It’s way out in suburbia. Nice campus, though.
Another vote for metro. The Judicuary Square stop and the Archives stop get you closer to the National Gallery than the Smithsonian stop.
As noted, the weather is mild. But I’d bring a jacket. The nights can be kind of brisk. Also some rain gear would be useful.
You know a bunch of stuff is shutting down for Ford’s funeral on Tuesday (and intermittently from Saturday on) right ? That makes me feel extra safe to say don’t try to drive