Washington Heat Wave Breaks Records

Washington, D.C. is experiencing an intense heat wave, with temperatures soaring into the triple digits for the second consecutive day. Monday’s high of 102°F broke records, following Sunday’s 101°F. This ongoing heat wave, the third of the summer, is forecasted to continue with highs in the upper 90s to around 100°F through Wednesday. The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings, with heat indices expected to reach 105-110°F, significantly increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.
The forecast highlights potential record-breaking highs: 101°F on Tuesday (record is 104°F from 1988) and 97°F on Wednesday (record is 102°F from 1980). Nighttime lows are also unusually warm, around 80°F, challenging previous records.
The current heat wave is considered the most intense and dangerous of the summer, with areas reaching Level 4 on the Weather Service’s HeatRisk scale. Climate Central indicates that human-caused climate change has made such extreme heat five times more likely.
A cold front expected late Wednesday should bring some relief, with highs dropping to the 80s to near 90°F from Thursday through Saturday. However, highs could climb back into the 90s by Sunday.
This summer has already set several records: the highest average daily temperature (81.3°F), the most days at or above 90°F (27 days), and multiple calendar-day record highs. The National Weather Service has issued six excessive-heat warnings this July, the most in a month since at least 2006.