Honestly, if you're standing on the National Mall today, you're probably wondering where that "mild" winter everyone kept promising actually went.
It's cold. Specifically, it's 37°F right now, but that doesn't really tell the whole story. With the wind kicking up from the north at about 8 mph, the "feels like" temperature is hovering closer to 30°F. Basically, it's the kind of damp, biting chill that finds the one gap in your scarf and makes itself at home.
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The Washington DC Weather Reality Check
The forecast for today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, is a bit of a mess. We’ve been seeing a mix of rain and snow throughout the morning, and the clouds aren't going anywhere yet.
There's a 95% chance of precipitation during the day. While the high is technically 37°F, the real concern is what happens when the sun goes down. The clouds are expected to clear out tonight, but that brings its own set of problems. Without that cloud cover to act like a blanket, the temperature is going to tank to a low of 25°F.
Any wet spots on the roads from today’s rain/snow mix? Yeah, they’re going to be solid ice by tomorrow morning’s commute.
Why the "Winter Weather Advisory" actually matters
The National Weather Service has had a Winter Weather Advisory in effect for most of the day. You might see some light snow sticking to the grass, but the roads are mostly just sloppy because the ground is still a bit too warm for the "Big One" everyone is always waiting for.
Still, the Capital Weather Gang—those folks over at the Washington Post who basically live and breathe DC humidity and ice—are pointing out that this is just the precursor. A serious arctic front is lurking.
- Current Humidity: 88% (that's why it feels so "raw" out there).
- UV Index: 1 (you won't be needing sunglasses).
- Wind Direction: Coming straight at you from the North.
What’s coming for MLK Day and beyond?
If you've got plans for the Monday holiday, dress for the deep freeze. We’re looking at a sunny day, but it’s a "fake" sun. Highs will struggle to get much past the mid-30s, and the wind is going to make it feel significantly worse.
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By Tuesday, we might be looking at the coldest air of the season so far. We're talking highs in the 20s. This isn't just "put on a coat" weather; it's "make sure your pipes are protected" weather.
Expert Insight: The Polar Vortex returns
We’ve been in a bit of a weird pattern this January. Earlier in the month, things were unseasonably warm, but the polar vortex is finally dipping south. Meteorologists are seeing lobes of Arctic air spilling into the Mid-Atlantic, which is why we’re seeing this sudden shift from rain to ice pellets.
Is this the "snowiest winter ever" like the long-range farmers' almanacs predicted back in October? Not quite yet. We're currently sitting at about 1.09 inches of precipitation for the month, which is actually a bit below average. But as any DC local knows, it only takes one well-timed coastal low to turn a "dry" January into a nightmare of stalled buses and closed federal offices.
How to actually handle this week
Since we're looking at a "flash freeze" tonight and brutal wind chills through Wednesday, here's the move:
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- Check your tires now. Dropping temperatures mean dropping tire pressure. Don't wait for the light to come on while you're on I-66.
- Layer, don't just bulk. A thermal base layer is worth three heavy sweaters in this kind of wind.
- Walk like a penguin. Seriously. If you're heading to the Metro tomorrow morning, assume every dark patch of pavement is "black ice."
- Pet safety. If it's too cold for you to stand outside in a light jacket for ten minutes, it's too cold for your dog.
The humidity today is stuck at 76% for the daily average, meaning that cold is going to feel heavy. We aren't out of the woods with the snow either; there's another system potentially lurking toward the end of next weekend.
Basically, keep the heavy boots by the door. You're gonna need 'em.