This Friday has the potential to be the hottest day of the year so far in the D.C. area with temperatures forecast in the 90s and the heat index even higher.
On Thursday night, the D.C. government announced it’s preparing for “the first possible Heat Emergency activation of the 2024 season” on Friday.
A few showers could pop up later in the day Friday with high pressure bringing thunderstorms for the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Highs will peak in the mid-90s west of the D.C. metro area in the morning and clouds will increase as chances of rain pick up.
“The heat index will be as high as 95 in some spots,” said 7News First Alert Meteorologist Jordan Evans.
Evans said storm chances on Friday will help break the heat a little bit, as the day is expected to be a hot one.
“That’s going to eventually drop humidity for the weekend,” he said.
That system, though, could bring some potential for a lot of rain.
“That boundary could potentially bring some strong storms,” he said. “Especially north of I-66 with some gusty winds, heavy rain and lightning all possible.”
The high temperatures probably won’t break records at regional airports on Friday — likely peaking in the low 90s. The record high heat for June 14 at Reagan National Airport was in 1954 at 98 degrees and 94 degrees at Dulles International and BWI Airport in 1994, according to the NWS.
The storms are expected to end by midnight with dry conditions for the weekend, Evans said.
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Forecast
FRIDAY:
Mostly Sunny
Highs: 88-93
Heat Index: 91-97
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
FRIDAY NIGHT:
Leftover Showers
Lows: 62-70
Winds: North 5-10 mph
SATURDAY:
Sunny Skies
Highs: 79-86
Winds: North 5-15 mph
SUNDAY:
Mostly Sunny
Highs: 75-80
Winds: Northeast 5-15 mph
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