Friday’s temperature reached 80 degrees earlier than any other year by several weeks. The previous earliest 80-degree temperature in Washington occurred Feb. 21, 2018. In an average year, Washington doesn’t post its first 80-degree high until March 28.
Because of human-caused climate change, winter temperatures in the 70s or higher have become much more common in recent decades in the Washington region.
It’s unusual to reach 70 degrees in January in our region, something that happens about once every few years on average. To hit 80 degrees is unprecedented.
The surge of warmth pushed temperatures about 45 to 50 degrees higher than a week ago when it snowed 3 to 5 inches.
Washington’s previous January record high was 79 degrees, reached on this date in 1950. The last time it hit at least 70 in January was in 2020. Warm days are more probable in December and February, especially in recent decades because of the long-term increase in temperatures.
Friday’s high temperature of at least 80 in Washington is comparable to or even warmer than those set in more southern cities this year, including Tallahassee (80), Austin (77), New Orleans (77) and Phoenix (77).
Dulles International Airport also set a January record high Friday, soaring to 79 degrees. Records there date to 1963. Only five days ago, the airport dipped to a frigid 7 degrees amid a siege of Arctic air which has since been displaced by a surge of warmth from the Gulf of Mexico.
Then there’s the humidity. Dew points — a measure of the moisture in the air — climbed into the mid-60s, which is close to unheard of during the middle of winter. That’s sufficient humidity to fuel severe thunderstorms in spring and a stark turnaround from dew points in the single digits early in the week.
Dew point records are incomplete, but 66 degrees is the highest during the month in a database maintained by the Iowa Environmental Mesonet, with hourly data back to 1937.
The humid air kept Thursday night’s and Friday morning’s temperatures much warmer than normal.
A wind off the chilly Potomac River allowed Washington to fall to 52 degrees this morning, despite most of the area staying near or above 60. Dulles only dipped to 64 degrees, which would top the previous warm minimum for the date by 24 degrees, and mark the warmest low recorded in January.
Elsewhere across the region, Baltimore fell one degree short of its daily and monthly record, with a high of 78 degrees. Charlottesville reached 80 degrees, while Annapolis climbed to 77.
Farther south, Charleston, S.C., reached 83 degrees, tying its January record high.
Outside South Florida and parts of the Carolinas, high temperatures in the Washington region were the warmest in the nation.
This warmth was projected by computer models more than a week ago, but its magnitude exceeded even the most aggressive forecasts.
This early taste of late spring and early summer won’t last long. Highs this weekend will dip into the 50s and then the 40s. However, the forecast for the next week to 10 days suggests that temperatures will generally be somewhat above normal.
Jason Samenow contributed to this report.
Elaine Hadley is a dedicated journalist covering the ever-evolving landscape of U.S. news. With a keen interest in politics and a commitment to uncovering the truth, she provides insightful commentary and in-depth analysis on domestic issues. When not reporting, Elaine enjoys exploring the diverse cultures and landscapes of the United States.
