Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony is set to be held indoors due to forecasts predicting dangerously low temperatures for the day. The expected highs will barely reach 20 degrees, and with strong winds, the wind chill could make it feel much colder, dropping to single digits. This event will mark one of the coldest inaugurations in U.S. history, even chillier than Barack Obama’s in 2009, which had a high of 30 degrees.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized the importance of safety given the harsh weather conditions. “I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way… if you decide to come, dress warmly!” he advised. The swearing-in ceremony will take place in the Capitol Rotunda, reminiscent of the arrangements made during Ronald Reagan’s inauguration in 1985, when the freezing temperatures forced a similar indoor setting. Meanwhile, a live viewing event is planned at Capital One Arena.
The current cold snap is being attributed to an Arctic air mass moving southward from Canada, bringing record low temperatures for January in the Washington D.C. area. Forecasts have shown a gradual decrease in predicted temperatures throughout the week leading up to the inauguration. Early morning temperatures on Inauguration Day are expected to settle in the mid to upper teens, rising vainly to around 22 degrees by noon. Sustained winds of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph, will add to the brisk conditions.
As for long-term forecasts, the cold will persist, with subzero wind chills anticipated in the following days. On Tuesday, temperatures are expected to peak at 21 degrees, potentially marking one of the coldest days in nearly a decade.
Looking back at history, while Trump’s inauguration will be frigid, it will not surpass Reagan’s record-setting event in 1985, when temperatures dipped dangerously low — with a morning low of minus 4 degrees. This highlights a pattern of bitterly cold inaugurations, including those of John F. Kennedy and Ulysses S. Grant, whose events were also marked by severe winter conditions.
This year’s inauguration stands in stark contrast to Trump’s first in 2017, which was one of the warmest on record for January. The current weather reminds us of the variations that can occur in January and the unpredictability of winter weather in the nation’s capital.
In conclusion, while the extreme cold may pose challenges, the decision to move the ceremony indoors reflects a commitment to safety, ensuring that the event can go on with dignity in a secure and accessible environment.