Updated October 2026
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park Weather by Month
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 84°F and a low of 67°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 42°F and an average low of 23°F. May and July are the wettest months, with about 4.3 inches of precipitation each. Snowfall is heaviest in February, at about 7.5 inches.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 7.8 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
84°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
23°F avg low
Snowiest month
Feb
7.5 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.7 h of daylight
Average weather at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Snowfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F | 23°F | 3.3 in | 6.5 in | 9.5 h |
| February | 45°F | 24°F | 2.6 in | 7.5 in | 10.5 h |
| March | 53°F | 32°F | 3.8 in | 2.0 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 65°F | 41°F | 3.4 in | 0.0 in | 13.0 h |
| May | 72°F | 52°F | 4.3 in | 0.0 in | 14.1 h |
| June | 80°F | 61°F | 4.1 in | 0.0 in | 14.7 h |
| July | 84°F | 67°F | 4.3 in | 0.0 in | 14.5 h |
| August | 82°F | 65°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in | 13.5 h |
| September | 76°F | 57°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 65°F | 45°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in | 11.0 h |
| November | 56°F | 35°F | 3.1 in | 0.1 in | 9.8 h |
| December | 46°F | 28°F | 3.4 in | 2.4 in | 9.3 h |
| Year total | 43.5 in | 18.5 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00448737, 7.8 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Chesapeake & Ohio Canal is at that time of year.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 42°F in January, between 46°F in December and 45°F in February, with average lows between 23°F and 28°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 9.3 inches of precipitation, about 21% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 16 inches for the season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.3 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 53°F in March to 72°F in May, with average lows between 32°F and 52°F. The average low is at or below freezing in March. Together the three months average 11.5 inches of precipitation, about 26% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 2 inches for the season, most of it in March. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 14.1 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 84°F in July, between 80°F in June and 82°F in August, with average lows between 61°F and 67°F. Together the three months average 11.9 inches of precipitation, about 27% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.7 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 76°F in September to 56°F in November, with average lows between 35°F and 57°F. Together the three months average 10.8 inches of precipitation, about 25% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 0.1 inches for the season. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 9.8 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
The Washington, DC, area has a four-season Mid-Atlantic climate. Summertime is warm and humid, while winter can be cold and snowy. Precipitation averages 2-4” monthly, year-round. The climate gradually gets cooler and wetter further west along the canal where the elevation is higher.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
Averages describe a typical month, not this week. For current conditions and the seven-day outlook, the National Weather Service issues a forecast for the park's reference point at 39.00°N, 77.25°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
National Weather Service forecast for Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park →
Weather and crowds together
July, the warmest month, sees about 1.3× the visitors of the park's average month. June is the busiest month of the year and January the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Chesapeake & Ohio Canal.
Where to stay near Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
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Top-rated places to stay near Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, with an average high of 84°F and an average low of 67°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 7.8 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, with an average low of 23°F and an average high of 42°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
May and July are the wettest months, with about 4.3 inches of precipitation each. February is the driest, at about 2.6 inches. The station records about 43.5 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Yes. The nearest long-record NOAA station, 7.8 miles from the park's reference point, averages about 19 inches of snow a year. February is the snowiest month, at about 7.5 inches. The station averages at least a tenth of an inch of snow in 5 of the 12 months.
Weather at nearby parks
4 mi away · warmest in July (84°F)
6 mi away · warmest in July (88°F)
6 mi away · warmest in July (88°F)
11 mi away · warmest in July (88°F)
12 mi away · warmest in July (90°F)
12 mi away · warmest in July (90°F)
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00448737), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.