The sun rose behind the U.S. Capitol on Sunday, January 12, 2025, illuminating a rehearsal on the West Front in preparation for President-elect Donald Trump’s forthcoming inauguration in Washington, D.C. Following a storm projected to bring accumulating snow to parts of the Northeast on Sunday, cold air originating from Siberia is expected to descend upon the nation’s capital on Monday, January 20, bringing blustery and dangerously cold conditions, as forewarned by AccuWeather meteorologists.
January 20, 2025, not only marks Presidential Inauguration Day but also coincides with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, culminating in an extended wintry weekend for millions of Americans. The second of two weekend storms is anticipated to bring snow, leading to travel challenges. The mid-Atlantic region may see several inches of snow on Sunday, with New England possibly receiving up to a foot by early Monday.
The combination of snow cover and post-storm winds is expected to result in one of the coldest presidential inauguration days since President Ronald Reagan’s second term inauguration in 1985. Reagan’s inauguration remains the benchmark for both the coldest and warmest inaugurations since the 1940s. Temperatures soared into the 50s Fahrenheit during Reagan’s first term inauguration in 1981, while January 21, 1985, witnessed temperatures barely reaching 17 degrees, with AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures mainly in the single digits.
Travelers making their way to the capital for the event may face weather-related disruptions, with airline delays likely due to deicing and winter maintenance on runways from Sunday into early Monday as the storm traverses the East.
Subsequent to the parade route and ceremony area being blanketed with snow, crews are expected to work diligently to clear the accumulation overnight into Monday morning. Despite these efforts, residual patches of ice and snow are anticipated throughout the city. The primary concern, however, remains the biting cold. Actual temperatures are forecasted to fluctuate from the upper teens to the mid-20s on Monday despite sunny conditions.
AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures are predicted to plunge into the single digits, occasionally dropping below zero in exposed areas due to winds averaging 12-25 mph with gusts reaching 30-40 mph in Washington, D.C. Attendees are advised to dress appropriately, including wearing multiple layers, hats, gloves, and insulated shoes to minimize the risk of hypothermia. Exposed skin will be particularly vulnerable to frostbite given the prolonged outdoor exposure.
The frigid conditions are expected to persist through mid-week before gradually easing. Across much of the central and eastern United States, the early part of the upcoming week will bring the harshest wintry conditions of the season. For enhanced safety measures and an ad-free experience, users can access advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts by subscribing to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts
