This is the only 80F ever recorded between Nov 19 and Feb 20 (Nov 18 is the latest 80F ever recorded for a calendar year, and Feb 21 used to be the earliest).
Like it's been a pretty typical January - seasonable. Everyone is pretty much at their expected snowfall for this point in the season. We've had some nice wintry periods. Oh, and how about blowing the doors off of some monthly heat records? Temps near 80 anyone?
Well I mean you shouldn't use it for that. Would we use Central Park to describe the climate of someone living in Orange County NY or something? No - it's the climate site for the city. But since these sites tend to have the longest/most uninterrupted/verified climate record, they are the ones mot often cited.
The main issue with DCA is being right on the river - but that can keep it a degree or two cooler than the rest of the city just as much as it might keep it warmer. The optimal site is probably like the White House or some place in Dupont/Columbia Heights.
hey man it's not so bad - you don't need a car here, we have great restaurants, and the civic institutions are unparalleled. Yeah, it's weak on the snow front.