The D.C. area will not avoid being touched by the extreme heat that is lingering in other parts of the U.S. this week. The heat wave is here.
Heat indexes in the D.C. region are forecast to top 100 degrees and possibly reach 105 both Tuesday and Wednesday, StormTeam4 meteorologist Lauryn Ricketts said.
“Expect blue skies with the heat index between 100° and 105° by this afternoon,” Ricketts said Tuesday. “Expect a few more clouds at times with that heat index closer to 105° by tomorrow afternoon.”
Base temperatures will be in the mid-to-upper 90s both days, and there is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms scooting through the area on Wednesday.
Residents should be cautious over the next couple days and stay hydrated. D.C. has cooling centers throughout the city to help residents find relief from the heat.
By Thursday and into Friday, though, the area should begin to cool down and get some much wanted relief and rain as a cold front hits the area.
“There will be a lot of moisture associated with that so expect rain for your Thursday and Friday,” Ricketts said.
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Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said residents can anticipate heavier rain later this week “thanks to whatever is left of Tropical Storm Danny that made landfall near Savannah, Georgia.”
Thursday afternoon and evening will see the heaviest rainfall this week, with lingering showers into Friday and Saturday and, unfortunately, some persisting chance of rain on Sunday’s July 4 holiday.
“It will all depend on how quickly a cold front can push to the area. If it lingers, we may have to keep chances of rain in for Sunday,” Ricketts said.
But don’t get disappointed yet — Bell said that the chance of rain will drop to 30% on Sunday and will most likely occur before any holiday evening fireworks.
“Humidity will lower behind the frontal system however. Temperatures will be right around 80 as we head into this upcoming weekend,” Ricketts said.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest continues to swelter in an “unprecedented” hazardous heat wave, according to The Associated Press, with Portland, Oregon, reaching 116 degree highs on Monday evening.
Forecast:
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, hot & humid. Very muggy. Heat index 100 degrees or higher. No chance of rain. Highs: Low-to- mid 90s.
Tuesday night: Mainly clear, humid, areas of fog. No chance of rain. Highs: Low to mid 70s.
Wednesday: Sunny in the morning, more clouds in the evening. Hot & humid. Heat index 100 to 105 degrees. The possibility of isolated thunderstorms later. Chance of rain: 30%. Highs: Low-to-mid 90s.
Thursday: Partly to mostly cloudy, humid, a little cooler. Chance of rain: 80% with widespread storms. Highs: around 90.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, cooler. Rain and thunder likely. Locally heavy rain possible at times. Chance of rain: 80%. Highs: High 70s to low 80s.
