United States Washington DC Weather in October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) — Climate Guide
October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) in Washington DC is Excellent (foliage + comfortable)
Washington DC Weather in October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 20° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 80mm · 8 days
- Crowds
- Moderate
As of 2026, Washington DC in October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) averages a high of 20°C and low of 11°C with 80mm of rain over about 8 days. Autumn perfect — long-sleeve shirt + light jacket + jeans/pants + comfortable sneakers + light scarf. Layer for 11°C morning + 20°C afternoon swings. Rain jacket for occasional showers. Wide-brim hat optional. Best DC walking weather of the year.
October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) is Excellent (foliage + comfortable) for Washington DC.
**DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom — climate ideal + foliage peak mid-month + Marine Corps Marathon last Sunday. Hotels still affordable (only 1.1x normal). Book Capitol + minibar 2-3 weeks ahead.**
Travel score
Washington DC October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) Weather Stats
Avg High
20°C
Avg Low
11°C
Rainy Days
8
80mm total
Sunshine
7h
Daily avg
Humidity
65%
Comfortable
UV Index
5
Moderate
Wind
12 km/h
Gusts 26
Sea Temp
0°C
Not swimmable
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
18 μg/m³
PM10
38 μg/m³
Status
Good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
20°C
Nighttime
10°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
12 km/h
Max gust 26 km/h
Activities Recommended for October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom)
October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- **Foliage peak mid-October (Rock Creek + Capitol + National Mall + Mt Vernon)**
- Climate 20/11°C ideal walking
- Hotels only 1.1x normal
- Marine Corps Marathon (free spectator)
- National Book Festival (free, Library of Congress)
- DC Beer Week
Cons
- Rain 8 days (October showers)
- Sunset 17:40 — limited late afternoon outdoor time
- Marine Corps Marathon weekend hotels spike
October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) Events & Festivals
- **Mid-October foliage peak — Rock Creek Park + Capitol grounds + National Mall + Mt Vernon all peak color**
- Halloween end-October (Adams Morgan Day Parade)
- National Book Festival (Library of Congress, early October)
- Marine Corps Marathon (last Sunday October) — 30,000 runners + free spectator viewing
- DC Beer Week (late October)
Washington DC in October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) — Full Picture
**DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom — climate ideal + foliage peak mid-month + Marine Corps Marathon last Sunday. Hotels still affordable (only 1.1x normal). Book Capitol + minibar 2-3 weeks ahead.**
What to Wear & What to Pack
Autumn perfect — long-sleeve shirt + light jacket + jeans/pants + comfortable sneakers + light scarf. Layer for 11°C morning + 20°C afternoon swings. Rain jacket for occasional showers. Wide-brim hat optional. Best DC walking weather of the year.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
19°C
9°C
10/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
30.7°C
20.7°C
9.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
Current20.3°C
11°C
8/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
8.3°C
0°C
8.7/mo
Washington DC Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7° | -1° | 9d·75mm | 5h | 65% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 9° | 0° | 8d·70mm | 6h | 62% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 14° | 4° | 9d·80mm | 7h | 60% | 5 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 19° | 9° | 10d·80mm | 8h | 60% | 7 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 24° | 14° | 11d·100mm | 9h | 65% | 8 | Busy | Peak | |
| 29° | 19° | 10d·100mm | 10h | 70% | 9 | Busy | Peak | |
| 32° | 22° | 10d·100mm | 10h | 73% | 10 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 31° | 21° | 8d·90mm | 9h | 73% | 9 | Busy | Peak | |
| 27° | 17° | 8d·100mm | 8h | 70% | 7 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 20° | 11° | 8d·80mm | 7h | 65% | 5 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 14° | 5° | 8d·80mm | 6h | 65% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 9° | 1° | 9d·90mm | 5h | 65% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Washington DC October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) a good time to visit Washington DC?
Washington DC in October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) is Excellent (foliage + comfortable). Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Washington DC in October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom)?
Washington DC October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) averages a high of 20°C and a low of 11°C.
Does it rain much in Washington DC in October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom)?
Washington DC October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) averages 80mm of rainfall over about 8 rainy days.
What should I wear in Washington DC in October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom)?
Autumn perfect — long-sleeve shirt + light jacket + jeans/pants + comfortable sneakers + light scarf. Layer for 11°C morning + 20°C afternoon swings. Rain jacket for occasional showers. Wide-brim hat optional. Best DC walking weather of the year.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Washington DC in October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom)?
Washington DC October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) sunrise is 07:00 and sunset is 17:40, with 10h 40m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Washington DC in October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom)?
Washington DC October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) air quality (AQI) averages 45, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 18μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Washington DC in October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom)?
In October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom), Washington DC is great for **Foliage walking Rock Creek Park + National Mall + Mt Vernon**, Smithsonian, Marine Corps Marathon (free spectator, last Sun Oct).
Is October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) peak season in Washington DC?
Washington DC October (Foliage peak — DC's #2 best month after April Cherry Blossom) crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Washington DC
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Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.