D.C. heat wave will peak this weekend with triple-digit temps
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The heat wave is peaking in D.C., with forecasts for Saturday and Sunday reaching triple digits.
Why it matters: The duration of the heat is dangerous. Since Monday, it's been 90 or above every day — and the high temperatures are expected to stick around through next week.
The latest: Saturday will have a high of 100 with a chance of thunderstorms, and Sunday will be near 101, according to the National Weather Service.
- Monday and Tuesday will return to the low 90s, and then temps will jump again Wednesday, when it's forecast to reach 98.
🌡️ Threat level: Three things make this heat wave particularly dangerous.
- First is the timing, since such heat is so rare this time of year.
- Then there's the fact that it is the season's first extreme heat wave. This heightens the risk to those without access to cooling, the very young and elderly, and those with chronic health conditions.
- Lastly, there's the duration. Long-lasting events are more likely to lead to infrastructure malfunctions, from power outages to the melting of airport tarmacs.
Extreme heat can slow outdoor work and snarl transportation networks, particularly railways and airports.
- Metro trains above ground were slowing to 35mph yesterday because rail temperatures went above 135 degrees.
Zoom out: The heat wave — officially categorized as three days or more at 90 degrees — has slowly built over the week in East Coast cities.
- D.C. could see 90s through the rest of the month.
Fun fact: It's incredibly hard to get National Airport to go to 100, and not as hard as BWI or Dulles. The breeze off the Potomac River can impact it.