Stifling heat and humidity resumes in the D.C. region this week, with high temperatures forecast to break 90 degrees every day through at least Friday. After a brief respite over the weekend, the summer heat is back in full blast Monday with afternoon highs in the mid 90s — a few degrees above D.C. and Baltimore’s average of around 90 for mid-July. While it doesn’t appear likely that records will be set this week, resurgent humidity will certainly make it feel sweaty with heat indexes near or over 100. “As we enter what is statistically the hottest time of the year, this forecast will not surprise anyone,” Storm Team4 meteorologist Chuck Bell said. “Hot and humid, all week. Will there be a few cooling thunderstorms to help out a bit? Not really.”
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The D.C. government is activating its heat emergency plan from Monday through Wednesday, opening dozens of cooling centers across the city and warning against strenuous outdoor activity whenever avoidable. “Residents and visitors should take extra steps to beat the heat by staying in the shade or air-conditioning, drinking plenty of water and visiting a cooling center,” the District says. “Periods of high heat and humidity can cause medical problems such as heat exhaustion and stroke.” More information on dealing with extreme heat — including learning the symptoms of heat exhaustion, transportation to shelters and advice for pet owners — can be found on D.C.’s heat emergency page. A map of the District’s various cooling centers is available online.
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The humid air mass brings with it a potential for evening showers and thunderstorms, though the atmosphere won’t be unstable enough for a widespread outbreak. Bell put the odds of a storm on Monday or Tuesday below 20% on a late afternoon to early evening time frame — and even then, mainly for areas well to the north and west of D.C. “The storms will be few in number for the entire listening area, but the storms that do [manage] to form will be slow movers with very heavy rain, gusty winds and some hail,” said Storm Team4 Meteorologist Matt Ritter. So far this month, the high temperature has reached 90 degrees or higher five days, Bell said. “We will be lucky if one or two out of the next 10 stay below 90,” he added. Welcome to the dog days of summer in the capital region. Stay hydrated, stay cool.
Forecast:
Monday Night: A few clouds. Warm, muggy, and uncomfortable with lows in the low to mid 70s. Tuesday: Partly sunny, hazy, hot and humid with a few widely scattered thunderstorms, mostly north and west of D.C. Highs in the low to mid 90s, with a heat index near 100. Wednesday: Mostly to partly sunny, hot and humid. Scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s to near 90. Thursday: Mostly sunny, hot and humid. Highs in the low to mid 90s. Friday: Partly sunny, hot and humid with a chance of a scattered afternoon shower or thunderstorm. Highs in the upper 80s to low 90s.
