Washington DC · Month comparison
February vs October
October ranks #1 overall vs February at #9. Fall foliage on the Mall, Marine Corps Marathon, crisp air — October rivals April for DC's best.
February
#9 of 12 months
Strong option
Still cold but slightly brighter — museums uncrowded, cherry blossom buds just beginning.
- ↑6 hours of daily sunshine — a visible improvement; outdoor monument photography better than January
- ↑Presidents' Day weekend brings some domestic visitors but museums remain manageable
October
#1 of 12 months
Best match
Fall foliage on the Mall, Marine Corps Marathon, crisp air — October rivals April for DC's best.
- ↑Fall foliage across the National Mall, Rock Creek Park, and Georgetown: red and gold that genuinely rivals New England
- ↑Marine Corps Marathon (late October): 30,000 runners through Washington's most scenic monuments — spectacular spectator event
| Factor | February | October |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 5 | 9 |
| Value score | 8 | 5 |
| Crowd score | 8 | 5 |
| Events score | 5 | 7 |
| Atmosphere | 6 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 8°C | 19°C |
| Monthly rain | 65mm | 80mm |
| Daily sunshine | 6hrs | 6.5hrs |
February trade-offs
- ↓Still cold: 0°C overnight and possible snow or ice on the Mall and paths
- ↓Cherry blossoms weeks away — the iconic pink DC image not yet possible
- ↓Quieter restaurant and nightlife scene in winter; 14th Street NW less buzzing than spring
October trade-offs
- ↓Moderate tourism continues through October; not the quiet shoulder it once was
- ↓Marine Corps Marathon weekend significantly affects transport and accommodation around the Mall
- ↓Foliage peaks vary year to year — late October to early November is the typical window
Scores compare months within Washington DC. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →