Always a human at the helm: Updated around-the-clock by Capital Weather meteorologists.
Happening now: DC reached 102 degrees, making it the city's hottest July 4th on record. Scattered storms cooled evening temperatures into the 80s and 70s. The risk of strong to severe storms has ended, but areas of showers remain through late 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.
Forecast in detail
Tonight: Cooler 80s and 70s this evening but remaining very muggy as showers linger. 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
[Live storm updates; Heat alerts and how to stay safe]
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
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.
