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The extremely hot and stormy weather on this Fourth of July led visitors at the National Mall to briefly evacuate and delay the massive fireworks show.
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People in the D.C. region were enduring a third day of searing heat, and now thunderstorms that are packing a punch.
The late evening storms added a new challenge to holiday festivities, several of which have already been changed or canceled due to the oppressive and dangerous heat.
Other than the storms, heavy winds are playing a huge role as there are reports of power outages and downed trees in parts of the area.
WTOP’s Jose Umaña reports that heavy wind gusts knocked down a tree in a Hyattsville, Maryland, neighborhood near Landover Hills.
The storm risk is expected to ease later in the evening, in time for the fireworks on the National Mall.
Stinneford said the area is under a code purple air quality alert, which is unhealthy for everyone.
Amid the intense temperatures, Reagan National Airport broke a record last set in 1919: The high there hit 102 degrees.
BWI Marshall hit 102, breaking the old record of 100 set in 1898 and 1966.
Dulles Airport has tied its record high of 97, set back in 1999 and 2002.
Soaring triple-digit temperatures also broke records over the previous two days.
Independence Day storms are not expected to provide much relief from the heat and humidity. Sunday’s highs are in the high 90s, and more storms are predicted in the afternoon and on Monday.
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OVERNIGHT: Showers and a few thunderstorms, ending after midnight. Patchy fog developing. Muggy. Lows 75 to 80.
SUNDAY: Partly cloudy, hot and humid with afternoon storms. Storms may be severe. Highs 95 to 100.
MONDAY: Showers and storms. Heavy rain may cause flooding. Highs 85 to 90.
TUESDAY: Scattered showers. Highs in the 80s.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid-80s.
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WTOP’s Will Vitka and Tadiwos Abedje contributed to this report.
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