Sweltering Summer in Washington: Second-Hottest Start on Record

The Washington area has been experiencing extreme heat since mid-June, with temperatures consistently reaching record highs. Tuesday marked the fifth consecutive day of at least 97 degrees, making it the 22nd day this year with temperatures of 90 degrees or higher. Heat indexes have soared to around 110 degrees, prompting the National Weather Service to issue an excessive-heat warning. The oppressive heat is expected to continue, with Wednesday forecasted to hit the upper 90s and heat alerts in effect for the third straight day.
Nights have also been unusually warm, with several instances of lows at 80 degrees or higher, a rarity before the year 2000. This summer is shaping up to be the second-hottest on record, with an average temperature of 80.5 degrees since June 1, trailing only 2010. The year 2023 is also on track to be the second-warmest year on record to date, following 2012.
The persistent heat wave has been attributed to human-caused climate change, doubling the likelihood of such extreme temperatures in the D.C. area. Although there may be a brief respite on Friday due to clouds and moisture from Hurricane Beryl, high temperatures are expected to return over the weekend and intensify next week. The current heat wave, which began on July 4, is projected to continue, with temperatures likely to remain above 90 degrees for at least the next two weeks.