January scorcher: DC sets new all-time high temperature for January

D.C.-area residents who just dealt with heavy snowfall last week are at risk of weather whiplash as record-breaking high temperatures struck Friday.

“Washington, D.C. has set a new all-time January high temperature at 80 degrees, occurring today at 1:20 p.m.” 7News First Alert meteorologist Jordan Evans told WTOP. “This breaks the previous record of 79 degrees set in 1950.”

It’s also the earliest in the year to hit 80 degrees, according to 7News First Alert meteorologist Mike Stinneford.

D.C. isn’t the only record-breaker in the area though. Dulles International Airport also broke the all-time high record for January, reaching 79 degrees so far — surpassing its previous record of 75 degrees in 1975. Meanwhile, Reagan National Airport hit 80 degrees this afternoon, shattering its previous January record high of 79 degrees in 1950.

“Our average daytime high for this time of year is 45 degrees, so we’re going to be well above that,” said 7News First Alert meteorologist Eileen Whelan.

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Following last week’s heavy snowfall, residents across the D.C. area have been out and about, taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather. WTOP’s Kyle Cooper caught up with a number of Washingtonians doing everything from hitting balls at Langston Golf Course to washing their cars and going for a run.

The springlike temperatures in January have happened before in the D.C. area, with highs reaching 70 degrees on Jan. 12, 2020.

While mild temperatures will remain this weekend, it will cool down as it heads into this evening before mostly cloudy conditions make their way in overnight.

“This evening, temperatures will be in the 60s and overnight lows will fall into the 40s, so definitely cooler out the door tomorrow,” Whelan said.

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Forecast

FRIDAY EVENING:
Very mild with scattered clouds
Highs: 70s falling to 50s
Winds: Southwest to Northwest 10-15 mph

OVERNIGHT:
Mostly cloudy
Lows: 40s
Winds: Northwest 5 mph

SATURDAY:
Increasing clouds
Rain develops in the late afternoon
Highs: 53-57
Winds: North 3-8 mph

SUNDAY:
Scattered showers
Highs: 44-49
Winds: Northeast 5-10 mph
Rainfall totals will be between half-an-inch to over 1 inch in many neighborhoods