Weather & Climate in National Harbor, MD

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

National Harbor enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 293 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 41.8 inches. The area receives 13.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 144 feet.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	59.3°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	38°F (3°C)
July Average	81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	293 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	144 ft (44 m)
Area	1.9 sq mi (4.8 km²)
Population Density	3,479/sq mi
Coordinates	38.7832°N, 77.0081°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Alexandria city County
Nearest Airport	Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl (DCA) 5 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 41.8"

10% above US avg

Snowfall 13.7"

Wettest Month (May) 3.90"

Driest Month (Feb) 2.72"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	73.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	15.4 / 100
Community Resilience	45.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	No Rating
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

43 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.

Aug 23, 2011	11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia	M5.8	126 km	6 km
Aug 25, 2011	8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia	M4.5	125 km	7 km
Aug 24, 2011	11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia	M4.2	127 km	0 km
Mar 15, 1991	7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia	M3.8	140 km	16 km
Jul 16, 2010	5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland	M3.6	63 km	7 km
Aug 24, 2011	16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia	M3.4	134 km	0 km
Sep 1, 2011	7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia	M3.4	123 km	3 km
Sep 22, 2001	5 km E of Pantops, Virginia	M3.2	147 km	0 km
Jan 30, 2012	9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia	M3.1	126 km	3 km
Jun 3, 2010	4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania	M3.1	145 km	2 km
Jan 17, 2016	3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia	M3.0	93 km	5 km
Oct 2, 2010	10 km NNW of Ashland, Virginia	M3.0	113 km	19 km
Oct 12, 2011	9 km S of Louisa, Virginia	M3.0	127 km	4 km
Mar 26, 2012	13 km S of Louisa, Virginia	M3.0	130 km	9 km
Apr 24, 2009	1 km S of Franklintown, Pennsylvania	M2.9	142 km	1 km
Sep 15, 2019	5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania	M2.8	127 km	5 km
Mar 15, 2015	6 km SW of Mineral, Virginia	M2.8	123 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2011	9 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia	M2.8	125 km	0 km
Jan 14, 2025	1 km NNE of Wyndham, Virginia	M2.8	131 km	0 km
Oct 25, 2009	4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania	M2.8	146 km	1 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

5 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2011	Irene	Category 1	75 mph	191 km
2003	Isabel	Category 1	75 mph	240 km
1999	Floyd	Category 1	-	235 km
1986	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	221 km
1985	Gloria	Category 2	98 mph	222 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).

Tornado History

465 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 10 fatalities, 385 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 28, 2002	EF4	30 km	38.0 mi	3
Sep 24, 2001	EF4	88 km	10.0 mi	0
Sep 17, 2004	EF3	75 km	9.0 mi	0
Apr 28, 2002	EF3	74 km	18.0 mi	0
Sep 24, 2001	EF3	17 km	17.5 mi	2
Jul 19, 1996	EF3	80 km	2.2 mi	0
Oct 18, 1990	EF3	99 km	3.5 mi	0
Sep 5, 1979	EF3	6 km	17.9 mi	1
Jan 26, 1978	EF3	40 km	0.7 mi	1
Apr 1, 1973	EF3	28 km	9.8 mi	0
Nov 2, 1966	EF3	93 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 9, 1961	EF3	57 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 1, 2021	EF2	37 km	11.4 mi	0
May 3, 2021	EF2	99 km	4.4 mi	0
Nov 2, 2018	EF2	64 km	5.5 mi	0
Jul 23, 2017	EF2	61 km	2.4 mi	0
May 8, 2008	EF2	65 km	3.4 mi	0
Sep 17, 2004	EF2	65 km	13.0 mi	0
Sep 17, 2004	EF2	40 km	4.0 mi	0
Sep 17, 2004	EF2	98 km	7.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BESTPITCH (7,743 acres, 2017).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2017	BESTPITCH	7,743	98 km
2004	RETAINING ECOLOGICAL HEALTH	5,678	92 km
2014	BLACKWATER MARSH WUI BURNS FY14	5,433	94 km
2005	MARSH RX-FWS	4,380	95 km
1999	FB R O C I	3,525	96 km
2019	MDBWR-FY19-RX-MDWHS SUPPORT	3,197	95 km
2011	COMPARTMENT J	2,775	94 km
1992	UNNAMED	2,038	98 km
2005	VEGETATION RESEARCH	1,926	98 km
2011	THOROFARE	1,850	98 km
1987	UNNAMED	1,692	91 km
2004	ROBBINS FIRE	1,612	95 km
2004	BLACKWATER HAZARD FUEL REDUCTION	1,518	86 km
2009	BECKERS ISLAND	1,398	96 km
2006	UNNAMED	1,260	92 km
2011	GUINEA ISLAND COMPLEX	1,170	100 km
1999	FB A 3	1,156	91 km
2006	L 2 FB H 2 G 2	1,039	95 km
2011	COMPARTMENT E42 AND 43	991	90 km
2005	UNNAMED	942	93 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	38°F (3°C)	3.1 in
February	37°F (3°C)	2.7 in	Coldest, Driest
March	46°F (8°C)	3.5 in
April	55°F (13°C)	3.1 in
May	65°F (18°C)	3.9 in	Wettest
June	73°F (23°C)	3.5 in
July	81°F (27°C)	3.8 in	Warmest
August	76°F (25°C)	3.8 in
September	70°F (21°C)	3.7 in
October	58°F (14°C)	3.2 in
November	48°F (9°C)	3.3 in
December	39°F (4°C)	3.2 in

National Harbor has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 37°F in February to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (2.7").

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