Norfolk reaches record-tying temperature on blazing hot Friday

Friday’s blazing temperatures heated up Hampton Roads, with Norfolk reaching a record-tying 97 degrees.

The city’s gauge, at Norfolk International Airport, recorded a high of 97 degrees around 3:50 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

While it was hot, it was not quite hot enough to break the record for June 17, said Mike Rusnak, a meteorologist for NWS Wakefield.

“And it has not been broken in 131 years,” Rusnak said of the record, which was set June 17, 1891.

The heat index, forecasted to reach up to 104 degrees, climbed to 99 degrees by 1 p.m., persisting through 6 p.m.

The average temperature for Hampton Roads this time of the year is 86. The hottest temperature recorded at Norfolk International Airport was 105 in July 2010.

Friday’s hot temperatures were not expected to last long. A cold front blowing through Friday evening is forecasted to end the current heatwave for the next two to three days, bringing cooler and less humid conditions this weekend.

Caitlyn Burchett, 727-267-6059, caitlyn.burchett@virigniamedia.com