History-making heat on the horizon
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The first heat wave of the season has officially moved into the DMV. This is not just a rise in temperatures but a potential health hazard. Every day this week, temperatures will be in the 90s, with heat index values in the triple digits.
Public pools will be closed until Saturday, and D.C. will open 128 cooling centers through Friday to help you stay safe.
A heat wave is defined as three consecutive days with daytime highs reaching the 90s. At this point, the DC News Now Weather team is forecasting two back-to-back heat waves this week, with seven consecutive days in the 90s. We haven’t seen a heat wave like this in nearly two years, when we had eight straight days of temperatures in the 90s from July 18 to July 25, 2022.
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The last time we hit 100 degrees was eight years ago in D.C. on Aug. 15, 2016. The last time we saw triple-digit heat in June was nearly 12 years ago, in 2012.
On average, June is typically our third hottest month, with July and August being the hottest. This week will be all about heat index values that will range from 100 to 105 degrees across the region for multiple days. This is all due to a high pressure that will continue to meander across the southeast United States, allowing southerly winds to push northward across all of the east coast.
The apex of the heat will hit the DMV on Friday and Saturday, with advisories and warnings likely to go into place. Stay tuned to the DC News Now Weather’s team forecast.
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