DC Area Weather Forecast: Extreme Heat Spikes Today with Improvement Thursday

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* Excessive heat warning from 11am to 8pm*

Today’s Daily Figure

A somewhat subjective assessment of the day’s weather, on a scale of 0 to 10.

0/10: No numbers for this repetition of three-digit numbers, even though the scorching heat is almost over.

Fast prediction

  • Today: Super hot, chance of storms late in the day. High: 97-103.
  • This evening: Very humid. Lows: 73-82.
  • Tomorrow: Very warm, thunderstorms afternoon to evening. Highs: 95-100.

Detailed forecast

The most intense heat wave of our warmest summer yet should be at its peak today, as temperatures could approach the record high of 104 degrees set in the scorching summer of 1988. There may be some clear spells today, but tomorrow should bring more widespread showers and storm activity. Closer to average temperatures will arrive late this week before storm potential returns this weekend. Hang in there; we’re almost there.

Today (Tuesday): Another mostly sunny day with dangerous heat, with highs in the upper 90s to low 100s, while heat indexes climb to near 110 due to high humidity (dew points in the low 70s). Be extra cautious with outdoor activities and limit them if possible. Light southwest winds 5 to 10 mph won’t help. The record high today is 104 from 1988 for all three major reporting stations (Washington, Dulles, Baltimore), so we may just stay under that. Isolated late-day, pop-up showers and thunderstorms are possible, but unlikely, in most locations. Confidence: High

This evening: Partly cloudy and uncomfortably muggy with lows in the upper 70s to lower 80s in more urban areas. Light winds from the south at around 10 mph. Confidence: High

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Tomorrow (Wednesday): Mostly sunny and still super hot with mid to high 90s (100 still possible) for highs, but more afternoon clouds and more widespread thunderstorms in the late afternoon to evening should wipe out the hot weather faster. Some storms could be strong to severe with heavy downpours and strong gusts. Otherwise, winds will be southwesterly at 5 to 10 mph. Confidence: High

Tomorrow evening: Mainly evening showers and thunderstorms, then partly clearing and lows around 70. Confidence: Average-High

A look ahead

Thursday should see partly to mostly cloudy skies with a cool front lingering near the area. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are most likely across southern to eastern portions of the area as highs range from the mid to upper 80s. Thursday night could still see a chance for a shower or storm with skies becoming partly cloudy later in the evening with lows in the cooler 60s to near 70. Confidence: Average

Friday has partly to mostly sunny skies with highs again in the mid to upper 80s and noticeably lower humidity (yay!). A bit more humidity returns Friday night with partly cloudy skies and lows in the mid 60s to near 70. Confidence: Average

The weekend is a bit hazy. The frontal boundary to the south begins to creep northward bringing partly cloudy skies and scattered thunderstorms both days, mainly in the afternoon and evening. Humidity returns to moderate levels with highs in the upper 80s to near 90 Saturday and in the upper 90s to low 90s Sunday. Partly cloudy with scattered mainly evening showers and storms Saturday night also while lows range from the mid 60s to low 70s. Confidence: Average

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