People in Washington, DC are especially likely to experience increased risks from precipitation and heat.

Precipitation and heat risk in Washington, DC is extreme. Drought risk is significant. About 63% of buildings in Washington, DC are at risk of wildfire, and the risk level for these buildings is relatively low. About 11% of buildings in Washington, DC are at risk of flooding, and the risk level for these buildings is significant.

Fire and flood risk can vary significantly for individual properties within a city. Check your address for detailed heat, precipitation, fire, flood, and drought risk through 2050.

A downpour for Washington, DC is a two-day rainfall total over 0.9 inches. Around 1990, about 41.0% of precipitation fell during these downpours. In 2050, this is projected to be about 45.0%. The annual precipitation in Washington, DC is projected to increase from about 42.2" to about 45.4".

Extreme precipitation in any form can pose significant risks. Climate change is increasing the potential for extreme rainfall or snowfall because warmer air can hold more water vapor. See more information on storm risk. Property owners can take steps to reduce their risks from extreme precipitation.

In a typical year around 1990, people in Washington, DC experienced about 7 days above 94.6ºF in a year. By 2050, people in Washington are projected to experience an average of about 38 days per year over 94.6ºF.

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves, even in places with cooler average temperatures. See more information on heat risk. Everyone can take steps to reduce their risks from extreme heat.

Of 309 census tracts in Washington, DC, there are 193 where more than a quarter of buildings have significant fire risk, and 169 where more than half of buildings have significant fire risk. Property owners can take steps to mitigate their risks from wildfires.

Fire risk depends on proximity to vegation: densely developed urban areas have a much lower risk of burning than areas adjacent to wildland. Climate change increases risks from wildfire by creating hotter, drier conditions for fires to spread. ClimateCheck ratings of fire risk are based on projected weather conditions and U.S. Forest Service models simulating fire behavior.

The Middle Potomac-Anacostia-Occoquan watershed, which contains Washington, DC, has experienced 400 weeks (33% of weeks) since 2000 with some of its area in drought of any level, and 21 weeks (2% of weeks) since 2000 with some of its area in Extreme or Exceptional drought. Source: National Drought Monitor.

Climate change is increasing the risk of drought. Water stress (the ratio of water demand to supply) depends on how water utilities source water and their plans to adapt to climate change. Property owners can also take steps to reduce their risks from drought.

Of 309 census tracts in Washington, DC, there are 31 where more than half of buildings have significant risk from storm surge, high tide flooding, surface (pluvial) flooding, and riverine (fluvial) flooding. Property owners can check a specific address for flood risk including FEMA flood zone, then take steps to reduce their vulnerability to flooding damage.

Climate change is increasing inland and coastal flooding risk due to sea level rise and increasing chances of extreme precipitation. See more information on flooding risk.