If you are considering a move to the Washington D.C. area, you might be interested in learning a little bit about our climate. The D.C. area has four distinct seasons and its climate is classified as humid subtropical.
Brian's Quick & Easy Reference Guide to the D.C. Area Seasons (you really don't need much more information than this):
WINTER: Mostly mild, but sometimes bitter cold. Not much snow. Occasional ice storm.
SPRING: Beautiful. Come see the Cherry Blossoms bloom.
SUMMER: HOT! HOT! HOT! and HUMID! Frequent evening thunderstorms. If you want to search for homes during the D.C. summer, please read some of the comments here: Hot, Hot, Hot: Showing Homes in the Scorching Heat!
FALL: Mild, but stays pretty warm until early November.
The following chart shows the average temperatures during each month of the year in the D.C. area:
Washingtonians and Northern Virginians enjoy the outdoors for about 9 months out of the year. If you decide to purchase a condo, you might want one with a patio or a big balcony: Who Wants a Big Balcony? Alexandria Knolls West Condos have the Biggest!
During December, January, and February is when you'll find people indoors at the movies, the shopping malls, or cocooning at home. Bundle up in the wintertime and support the local economy: Last Minute Holiday Shopping: Biggest Malls in Northern Virginia.
Here's an idea for spending a Spring or Summer day outside in nature in one of the most unlikely areas of the city: Lotus Flowers & Water Lilies in Anacostia?
Dammit Jim, I'm a REALTOR, not a meteorologist!
If you want more information about the D.C. and Northern Virginia climate, consult weather.com, search on the internet, or buy the Farmer's Almanac.
On the other hand, if you want to buy a home in D.C. or Northern Virginia, contact me or click here to specify your search criteria and I'll send you information on available homes.
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Cool, thanks for sharing. I have no intentions of moving there, I have been there once a long time ago. I plan on going back again. It was nice to see your weather isn't much different, well, except for the humidity in the summer than ours is. We are in a mountain resort in Southern California, chilly in the winter, not much snow, but enough to play. Have a great Tuesday.
Nice job Brian - I'm still thinking about what I'm going to post for the Localism accountablity group. I wanted to see what you posted. Well this freaked me out. I see I'm going to have to take a bit of time with this one...
Folks from out of our area are surpirsed to find out how mild the winters are here.
I usually come down in May for the Mid year meeting and always seem to miss the Cherry blossoms. What a nice informative infommercial on DC. Thanks
Brian your weather is better than ours up here in Massachusetts. The Winter is just a little longer and colder. I sure am looking forward to Spring!
I love this area and the weather! Definitely a good reason to move! I came from Omaha and Upstate New York and will visit but not live because of it! Great Post!
Brian,
Comment to Lenn: That's because of the hot air from DC politicians, not global warming!!! LOL Thanks, Fran
I think because of your mild winters that it may make your area more appealing as well. I love Cherry Blossom trees!
Brian,
I love how you presented the climate of your area...it looks like your area is a bit more temperate than ours however the summers and fall sound very similar.
Jo
Great post, Brian. This IS exactly the kind of information people want when they're relocating.
KIM: Thanks for your comments. Enjoy the weather whatever it may be today.
DORENE: Don't be freaked out. I'm glad that you liked this post and look forward to reading some of yours.
LENN: Having grown up in Boston, I'm very pleased with the mild winters we have here in the D.C. area.
TERRY: The weather should be great in May. Unfortunately, you will indeed miss the Cherry Blossoms -- they're only in full bloom for a few weeks each year.
BILL: I'm all too familiar with Boston winters, having lived through 10 of them in my childhood. I'm much happier with the usually mild D.C. metro area winter season.
Brian,
Very cool post. When I met my wife she was living in Reston so I spent many weekends driving up to your neck of the woods. Whether it was going out on a Friday night to Adams Morgan (talk about crazy!) or hanging out on a Saturday afternoon at Tysons Corner it was all great. We decided to move to Charlottesville as we had more family and friends here but there's always the possibility to relocate should the opportunity present itself.
NAOMA: Climate can often be a big factor in where to live. I've been moving progressively southward during my life. Born in NY, moved to Boston (okay that was Northern), college in Philadelphia, and now D.C. area. My parents are already in Florida. I much prefer the warmer weather.
FRAN: Thanks for adding your 2 cents.
SALLY: Cherry Blossom season is coming up soon. I can't wait. It's always the most beautiful time of the year in the D.C. area. Time to load up the picnic baskets and head down to the National Mall.
JO: Thanks for your comment. People tend to perceive Canada as being a permanently frozen tundra. I know otherwise, but look forward to reading about the climate in your area.
MARGARET: Thanks for your comment and compliment. I hope that people do indeed find this information to be helpful.
ZACH: Thanks for your comment. It sounds like you lived life to the fullest in the fast-paced D.C. area and are settling down in the more relaxed Charlottesville area. Let me know if you ever plan on moving back up here.
Brian, August is so awful that even I head for the beach for a couple of weeks. But during the other two weeks, I work like a dog - with buyers. There is no competition! Agents are gone. Other buyers are gone. And anyone with a house for sale in August has to be awfully "motivated". It's a great time to make a deal!
Brian - Nicely done on this post. I did a similar chart using your chart tips in my post about the heat a few months ago. I think anyone looking to relocate would want to have this information. Great job!
Brian - DC is the most beautiful city we have in this country! I love it up there!!!! If only the weather was better - I did my cold and snow stint when I was younger -
JASON: Yes, summer certainly can be sweltering here in the D.C. area. It is nice to have a few days break from the heat. Thanks for your comment.
PAT: Lucky you, going to the beach. August is a good time to be working, just bring along some extra water for yourself and your clients.
JASON: Thanks for your comments and compliments. I'd certainly want to know about the weather if I were moving somewhere.
BARBARA: Thanks for your comments. Sounds like you really love D.C. When are you heading up for a visit?
Bri'in I'm givin' her all she's got!!! She can't take much more! It's too cold outside!
Winter in DC is a WILDCARD. As you know - we go from 20 to 60 in days and back to 20 again. Then throw in the odd 70 degree day - just to really tease you!
Brian - I was in town a few years ago for the cherry blossoms - it was quite a sight and much more amazing in person than the pictures I have seen.
JAMES: Today is especially frigid. Winter certainly is a wildcard as you mention. Thanks for your comments.
STEVE: The Cherry Blossoms truly are a sight to see. Thanks for your comment.
Mentioning the Cherry Blossoms, and dealing with the freezing cold temps of today, really made me long for Spring! Bring it on, I'm over Winter.
CHELLE: Just a few short weeks until the Spring. I can't wait to be done with the bone chilling temps.
Brian - I am also awaiting Spring...while loosing patients in the process. I love the pictures and the story you have displayed here.
MELISSA: Thanks for your comment. Spring will be here soon enough. It's already March.