Always a human at the helm: Updated around-the-clock by Capital Weather meteorologists.
Happening now: After DC reached a record daily high of 102 degrees today, steamy 80s this evening only fall to overnight lows in the upper 70s and low 80s.
What’s next? If anything, Friday should be a touch hotter. Still brutal on Independence Day as highs remain near or above 100 through Sunday. The nights bring little relief with lows not far from 80.
Forecast in detail
Tonight: Sultry temperatures stay up in the 80s this evening. Record warmth persists through the night as lows only drop to the upper 70s to low 80s. Heat index values may not get much below 90 in urban centers. Confidence: Medium-High
[Heat alerts and how to stay safe]
Tomorrow (Friday): A lot like today, if not a degree or so hotter. Mostly to partly sunny, as highs reach near 100 to 105. Heat index values are again 110 or higher at peak in most spots. Just a slight chance of a late-day storm, but it could be strong. Confidence: Medium-High
Tomorrow night: Another night of readings about as warm as they come for lows. Upper 70s to low 80s in most spots. DC may see a low only down to 83 or so. The city’s all-time record warm low is 84. Confidence: Medium-High
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A look ahead
Whatever you do on the Fourth, plan on having the option to cool down and take hydration breaks at regular intervals. We’re looking at afternoon temperatures about 98 to 104, with plentiful humidity. That means the heat index again approaches 110 at peak. And it'll still be near 90 through sunset, unless the potential for scattered strong to severe storms materializes and knocks readings back. Confidence: Medium
The heat is a touch less intense Sunday, but just barely. Still looking at mid-90s to around 100 for highs, with a heat index of 105 to 110. Another round of scattered afternoon or evening storms is possible. Confidence: Medium
Today’s daily digit — 1/10: It's at least a little worse than yesterday. | 🤚 Your call?
The digit is a somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a 0-to-10 scale.
A morning scene reflected in the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial. There are some speckled clouds and Washington Monument.
