Always a human at the helm: Updated around-the-clock by Capital Weather meteorologists.
Happening now: Near-record highs in the upper 90s to low 100s this afternoon and heat index values up to around 110. Scattered storms, which could be severe, should hold off until sometime after 4 p.m. into the evening.
What’s next? Only slightly less hot Sunday with scattered strong late-day storms possible again. Highs finally ease back into the 80s Monday and Tuesday with lingering shower and storm chances.
Today’s daily digit — 1/10: One point for Fourth of July cookouts and fireworks. Judging the dangerous heat and humidity alone, it's an easy zero. | 🤚 Your call?
The digit is a somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a 0-to-10 scale.
Forecast in detail
Today (Fourth of July): Hazy highs in the upper 90s and low 100s, with heat index values soaring near 110. If you’re out, stay hydrated, wear lightweight and light-colored clothing, and take frequent cooling breaks. Skies are mostly to partly sunny before scattered thunderstorms develop, mainly after 4 p.m. Coverage and exact timing of storms is uncertain, but any storm could turn strong to severe with potential for frequent lightning and isolated to scattered damaging wind gusts. Rainfall totals 0.25 to 0.5 inches, with localized heavier amounts possible. Confidence: Medium-High
[Update on severe storm risk; Heat alerts and how to stay safe]
Tonight: Scattered strong storms could linger until about 10 or 11 p.m. or clear out closer to sunset. We'll share updates throughout the day leading up to and, if necessary, during fireworks. Where storms come through, evening temperatures should cool off into the 80s, but remaining very muggy. Skies stay mostly cloudy and overnight lows only fall to the mid- to upper 70s, keeping it warm and muggy through the night. Confidence: Medium-High
Plan on worsening air quality in the evening during and after fireworks, when Code Purple (very unhealthy) is forecast for DC and Northern Virginia, and Code Red (unhealthy) is forecast for Suburban Maryland. [Current and forecast air quality]
Tomorrow (Sunday): Partly sunny with highs climbing to at least the mid-90s. Despite slightly lower temperatures, heat index values will still push near 100 to 105 as humidity holds tough. Scattered thunderstorms are possible in the late afternoon or evening. Confidence: Medium
Tomorrow night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms may linger into the overnight, tapering by daybreak Monday. Overnight lows fall into the low 70s, but rising humidity keeps conditions feeling muggy under mostly cloudy skies. Confidence: Medium
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A look ahead
A dip in the jet stream over the Great Lakes will push a long-awaited cold front into the region, finally lowering Monday highs to the mid- or upper 80s. Scattered showers are possible Monday morning, followed by a brief break before additional afternoon thunderstorms probably develop. Skies remain mostly cloudy, and it will stay very muggy. Confidence: Medium
Tuesday starts off a bit drier, with partly sunny skies and lingering morning humidity before a brief afternoon shower chance. Highs stay similar to Monday, in the mid- to upper 80s, with some gradual relief later in the day as humidity slowly eases. Tuesday night lows drop into the low 70s. Confidence: Medium
Wednesday should bring lower rain chances, although they aren't zero. A few scattered afternoon showers are possible, with highs in the mid- to upper 80s under partly cloudy skies. Confidence: Medium
