More "fire weather" days hit the DMV
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Hot, dry and windy weather that helps wildfires spread is becoming more common in areas of the DMV amid climate change, a new analysis finds.
Why it matters: This comes as Washington saw extreme heat and drought last year — and as this summer has a chance of being 50% hotter than average.
- So far this year, over 550 fires have burned over 9,100 acres in Virginia.
Driving the news: The number of "fire weather" days rose by six in Northern Virginia and four in upper Southern Maryland on average between 1973 and 2024, per an analysis from Climate Central, a climate research group. (There's no data for D.C.)
How it works: The report defines a "fire weather day" as one with temps of at least 45°-55°F (depending on the season), relative humidity within 5% of regional thresholds, and sustained wind speeds of 15 mph or more.
- All this must be happening together during at least two hourly measurements on a given day.