In the 1930s, Inauguration Day was rescheduled from March 4 to January 20, partly in the hope of experiencing less rainy and snowy weather. While January is typically colder, the likelihood of rain or snow in the Washington area is reduced during this time. The National Weather Service has compiled records of inaugural weather since 1937, marking the first January Inauguration Day.
The warmest recorded Inauguration Day occurred in 1981 during President Reagan’s first inauguration, with a noon temperature of 55 degrees. In contrast, the coldest Inauguration Day was in 1985 for Reagan’s second term, where the noon temperature was a mere 7 degrees, prompting the inauguration to be moved indoors. The rainiest Inauguration Day on record was in 1937 during President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s second inauguration, with 1.77 inches of rain falling. The snowiest Inauguration Day took place in 1961, with a significant eight inches of snow falling overnight before John F. Kennedy was sworn in.
A notable deviation from the traditional January date was observed on August 9, 1974, when Gerald Ford was inaugurated amidst warm weather conditions. The temperature soared to 89 degrees, with partly cloudy skies and hazy conditions prevailing on this atypical Inauguration Day.
This information was originally published on USA TODAY, discussing the historical trends and anomalies in Inauguration Day weather conditions. The article speculates on the weather forecast for the upcoming Inauguration Day for President Trump, raising the question of whether snowfall is expected on that Monday.
The rescheduling of Inauguration Day from March to January in the 1930s aimed to mitigate the chances of encountering adverse weather conditions, specifically heavy rain or snowfall. The subsequent analysis of weather records since 1937 has provided insights into the varied climatic experiences witnessed during different presidential inaugurations. From extreme temperature differentials to unexpected occurrences like rain and snow, each Inauguration Day has left its mark on the historical weather record.
As the nation anticipates the upcoming Inauguration Day for President Trump, the article raises the intriguing prospect of snowfall potentially gracing the event. Speculation surrounding the weather forecast adds an element of uncertainty and excitement to the ceremonial proceedings, highlighting the unpredictable nature of meteorological conditions even on such significant occasions.
In conclusion, the reshuffling of Inauguration Day to January has influenced the weather patterns observed during these historical events, with each inauguration offering a unique meteorological backdrop. The article’s exploration of past weather records serves to contextualize the upcoming Inauguration Day and the potential impact of weather conditions on the proceedings.
