DCInauguration 2013Obama InaugurationVideo

Inauguration Weather Forecast Predicts Cold Arctic Air For D.C. Region

Get Ready To Bundle Up!
FILE - This Jan. 20, 2009 pool-file photo shows crowds standing on and near a statue next to the on the National Mall ahead of the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America. While Washington wont likely see the record-setting turnout from the last inauguration, officials are planning for a bigger-than-average crowd making plans for a second chance to see a presidents swearing in. District of Columbia officials have pieced together early data projecting 600,000 to 800,000 people will crowd onto the National Mall on Jan. 21. Thats based on past attendance and data including hotel and restaurant reservations and chartered buses. The inauguration is the biggest event every four years in the nations capital, followed by July 4th celebrations. The 2009 inaugural drew 1.8 million. (AP Photo/Mark Wilson, File-Pool)
FILE - This Jan. 20, 2009 pool-file photo shows crowds standing on and near a statue next to the on the National Mall ahead of the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America. While Washington wont likely see the record-setting turnout from the last inauguration, officials are planning for a bigger-than-average crowd making plans for a second chance to see a presidents swearing in. District of Columbia officials have pieced together early data projecting 600,000 to 800,000 people will crowd onto the National Mall on Jan. 21. Thats based on past attendance and data including hotel and restaurant reservations and chartered buses. The inauguration is the biggest event every four years in the nations capital, followed by July 4th celebrations. The 2009 inaugural drew 1.8 million. (AP Photo/Mark Wilson, File-Pool)

WASHINGTON -- Anyone who was in the nation's capital in January 2009 for President Obama's first Inauguration will remember the chilly weather conditions. Those planning on attending the president's second Inauguration next week should prepare to bundle up.

According to Capital Weather Gang, the big question mark is the timing of a "powerful arctic cold front" that is set to dip south into the D.C. region toward the end of this weekend.

The prospect of cold weather has given WTTG-TV/Fox 5's Matt Ackland chills in advance of next Monday's festivities:

Most computer models, Capital Weather Gang reports, agree that the cold front will come on Sunday, but if it comes on Monday -- the day of the swearing-in ceremony and Inauguration parade -- temperatures may be slightly higher but there'll be more wind:

Temperatures on Jan. 21 may not rise above 40 and could even remain sub-freezing. Highs below 32 would represent the coldest air in D.C. in about two years (not since January 22, 2011 when the high was 28).

The good news: There isn't any significant precipitation forecasted with the cold front's arrival so street pavement, sidewalks and the National Mall should remain dry. (Newly restored grass on the Mall will be protected by plastic flooring, according to The Washington Post.)

Take a look at Inauguration preparations and historic images from previous ceremonies in the slideshows below ...

Rehearsal Inauguration Parade

November 5, 2012

Inauguration Stands

Theodore Roosevelt, 1905

Presidential Inauguration History

Inauguration Store Opening

Related

Inauguration 2013Obama InaugurationdcVideoDC Around Town

Before You Go

|
Submit a tip

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot