Updated October 2026
Rock Creek Park Weather by Month
Rock Creek Park is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 88°F and a low of 68°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 43°F and an average low of 26°F. July is the wettest month, with about 5.1 inches of precipitation. Snowfall is heaviest in January, at about 2.9 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, 3.5 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Rock Creek Park can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
88°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
26°F avg low
Wettest month
Jul
5.1 in avg
Snowiest month
Jan
2.9 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.7 h of daylight
Average weather at Rock Creek by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Snowfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43°F | 26°F | 3.3 in | 2.9 in | 9.6 h |
| February | 46°F | 27°F | 3.2 in | 1.4 in | 10.5 h |
| March | 55°F | 34°F | 4.2 in | 0.7 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 68°F | 44°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in | 13.0 h |
| May | 76°F | 54°F | 4.4 in | 0.0 in | 14.1 h |
| June | 84°F | 63°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in | 14.7 h |
| July | 88°F | 68°F | 5.1 in | 0.0 in | 14.5 h |
| August | 86°F | 66°F | 4.4 in | 0.0 in | 13.5 h |
| September | 79°F | 59°F | 4.5 in | 0.0 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 68°F | 47°F | 4.4 in | 0.0 in | 11.0 h |
| November | 56°F | 36°F | 3.3 in | 0.0 in | 9.8 h |
| December | 47°F | 30°F | 3.8 in | 0.8 in | 9.3 h |
| Year total | 48.3 in | 5.8 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00182325, 3.5 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Rock Creek is at that time of year.
Rock Creek weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 43°F in January, between 47°F in December and 46°F in February, with average lows between 26°F and 30°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 10.3 inches of precipitation, about 21% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 5.1 inches for the season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.3 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 55°F in March to 76°F in May, with average lows between 34°F and 54°F. Together the three months average 12.1 inches of precipitation, about 25% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 0.7 inches for the season. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 14.1 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 88°F in July, between 84°F in June and 86°F in August, with average lows between 63°F and 68°F. Together the three months average 13.7 inches of precipitation, about 28% 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 79°F in September to 56°F in November, with average lows between 36°F and 59°F. Together the three months average 12.2 inches of precipitation, about 25% of the yearly total. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 9.8 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Weather in D.C. is often erratic. Spring: Pleasant, Avg. High: 67° Avg. Low: 44.3°, Avg. Precipitation: 12.1” Summer: Hot & Humid, Avg. High: 87°, Avg. Low: 66°, Avg. Precipitation: 12.7”, July is the hottest month Fall: Pleasant, Avg. High: 69°, Avg. Low: 48.3°, Avg. Precipitation: 11.6” Winter: Mild, Avg. High: 45°, Avg. Low: 27.3°, Avg. Precipitation: 9.3”, Avg. Snowfall: 15.4” January is coolest month. Hurricanes may impact D.C. in late summer and fall. Light droughts are not uncommon in summer.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Rock Creek
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 38.95°N, 77.05°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
Weather and crowds together
July is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 1.5× the visitors of the park's average month. December is the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Rock Creek Park. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Rock Creek.
Where to stay near Rock Creek
Picked a month for Rock Creek Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Rock Creek
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Rock Creek?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Rock Creek by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Rock Creek Park, with an average high of 88°F and an average low of 68°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 3.5 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Rock Creek Park, with an average low of 26°F and an average high of 43°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
July is the wettest month, with about 5.1 inches of precipitation. February is the driest, at about 3.2 inches. The station records about 48.3 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Yes. The nearest long-record NOAA station, 3.5 miles from the park's reference point, averages about 5.8 inches of snow a year. January is the snowiest month, at about 2.9 inches. The station averages at least a tenth of an inch of snow in 4 of the 12 months.
Weather at nearby parks
3 mi away · warmest in July (90°F)
3 mi away · warmest in July (90°F)
4 mi away · warmest in July (90°F)
4 mi away · warmest in July (90°F)
4 mi away · warmest in July (90°F)
4 mi away · warmest in July (90°F)
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00182325), 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.