ClimateObservatory

United States

Temperature trends in Washington

4 weather stations · coverage 1942–2025

Washington · north-america · population ~5.1MGoogle Maps · Terms

Primary weather station near Washington with the most complete temperature record

WASHINGTON REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT

Station record

Station id
USW00013743
Source
NOAA
Record
1942–2025
Years
84
Warmest year
2024 (16.5°C)
Coldest year
1958 (13.1°C)
Trend since 1980
+0.34°C / decade

WASHINGTON REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT

1942–2025 · Washington, United States

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First 10 years (1942–1951): 13.98 °C · Last 10 years (2016–2025): 15.80 °C · Gap: +1.82 °C

Annual mean temperatures — NOAA source.

Overview

From 1942 to 2025, Washington, D.C., has experienced significant climate changes. The data from multiple stations in the region, including WASHINGTON REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT, shows a clear warming trend.

How much has Washington's temperature changed?

The mean temperature during the first ten years (1942–1951) was 13.98°C, while the last ten years (2016–2025) averaged 15.8°C. This represents a notable increase of 1.82°C. Additionally, the mean temperature from 2015 to 2024 is 15.84°C, indicating a warming trend consistent with global patterns.

Climate Data

Observation Period
1942–2025
Top 5 Warmest Years
2024: 16.54°C, 2012: 16.38°C, 2023: 16.21°C, 2017: 15.99°C, 2019: 15.88°C
Record Coldest Year
1958: 13.05°C
National Average (1991–2020)
14.93°C

Context

Washington's climate data aligns with broader national trends, where the mean temperature from 1991 to 2020 was approximately 14.93°C. The city's temperatures exceed the Paris Agreement benchmark by 2.33°C, emphasizing the urgent need for climate action.

Impacts

The rising temperatures in Washington may increase the risk of heat waves and exacerbate drought conditions. These climatic changes affect not only the environment but also public health and infrastructure.

Records

The record warmest year in Washington was 2024, reaching 16.54°C, while the coldest recorded temperature was in 1958, at 13.05°C. These extremes highlight the variability and changing nature of the climate in the region.

Frequently asked questions

Which weather station is used for Washington?
Statistics on this page come from the WASHINGTON REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT station, id USW00013743, NOAA source.
How long is the temperature record in Washington?
The record runs from 1942 to 2025 (84 years with data).
How much has Washington warmed?
The annual mean changed by +1.82°C from 1942–1951 to 2016–2025 (first 10 vs last 10 years of the series).
What was the warmest year on record in Washington?
The warmest year in this series is 2024 (annual mean 16.5°C).
What is the decade trend since 1980 in Washington?
The linear trend since 1980 is +0.34°C per decade.

Downloads — primary station

Station: WASHINGTON REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT (NOAA USW00013743).

Fossil CO₂ emissions (ODIAC) in the grid cell for Washington

1° gridded estimate (fossil carbon surface flux integrated over the calendar year, 2000–2023) for the grid cell that contains the city: the plotted value is a surface emission intensity (gC/m²/yr), comparable across regions, not local air CO₂ concentration (wind and mixing are not represented here).

CO₂ page (ODIAC map, Keeling…)

ODIAC 1°×1° grid cell (centre ≈ 38.5°, -77.5°).

All other weather stations near Washington

Here are the 3 other stations linked to this page near Washington, with data that typically span 1940–2025, depending on the site.