The Weather

Check the Washington Post's website (https://www.washingtonpost.com) or the website for Washington, D.C.'s official convention and visitors corporation, Destination D.C. (https://www.destinationdc.org), for current and projected weather forecasts.

Season by season, here's what you can expect of the weather in Washington:

Fall: This is my favorite season. The weather is often warm during the day -- in fact, if you're here in early fall, it may seem entirely too warm. But it cools off, even getting a bit crisp, at night. Washington trades its famous greenery for the brilliant colors of fall foliage, and the stream of tourists tapers off.

Winter: People like to say that Washington winters are mild -- and sure, if you're from Minnesota, you'll find Washington warmer, no doubt. But D.C. winters can be unpredictable: bitter cold one day, an ice storm the next, followed by a couple of days of sun and higher temperatures. The winters of 2010 and 2011 were especially severe, bringing record snows, though who can say what this augurs for the future? Pack for all possibilities.

Spring: Early spring weather tends to be colder than most people expect. Cherry blossom season, late March to early April, can be iffy -- and very often rainy and windy. Then, as April slips into May, the weather usually mellows, and people's moods with it. Late spring is especially lovely, with mild temperatures and intermittent days of sunshine, flowers, and trees colorfully erupting in gardens and parks all over town. Washingtonians, restless after having been cooped inside for months, sweep outdoors to stroll the National Mall, sit on a park bench, or laze away an afternoon at an outdoor cafe. Spring is a great time to enjoy D.C.'s outdoor attractions. But during this season, the city is also at its most crowded with visitors and school groups, here to view the blooming cherry blossoms or take advantage of spring breaks.

Summer: Anyone who's ever spent July and August in D.C. will tell you how hot and steamy it can be. Though the buildings are air-conditioned, many of Washington's attractions, like the memorials, monuments, and organized tours, are outdoors and unshaded, and the heat can quickly get to you. Make sure you stop frequently for drinks (vendors are plentiful), and wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. But if you can deal with all that, this is a good time to visit. Locals often go elsewhere on vacation, so the roads and attractions are somewhat less crowded. Best of all, hotels tend to offer their best rates in July and August.

Holidays

Banks, government offices, post offices, and many stores, restaurants, and museums are closed on the following legal national holidays: January 1 (New Year's Day), the third Monday in January (Martin Luther King, Jr., Day), the third Monday in February (Presidents' Day), the last Monday in May (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day), the first Monday in September (Labor Day), the second Monday in October (Columbus Day), November 11 (Veterans Day/Armistice Day), the fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day), and December 25 (Christmas). The Tuesday after the first Monday in November is Election Day, a federal government holiday in presidential-election years (held every 4 years, and next in 2012).