DC area heats up, then cools fast as storms move in midweek

Hot temperatures continue Tuesday with the possibility for pop-up storms, giving the D.C. region a taste of summer weather ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

Highs in the low to mid-90s and a few upper 90s are possible. It marks the second day of a three-day heat wave across the D.C. area that began Monday.

Humidity will stay manageable, but it will feel hot, especially through 5 p.m., according to 7News First Alert Meteorologist Eileen Whelan. She said an isolated afternoon storm is possible, bringing a quick downpour and gusty winds, though most areas won’t see any rain.

Things are expected to dry out by nightfall.

Record-breaking temperatures are forecast in the D.C. region. Dulles International Airport reportedly reached 93 degrees, beating the record set in 1997 by one degree.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Erik Taylor told WTOP record highs are also within reach at Reagan National Airport (96 degrees, set in 1997) and BWI Thurgood Marshall (98 degrees, set in 1962).

Taylor advised people to stay hydrated if spending extended time outdoors.

Conditions should stay warm overnight, with lows in the upper 60s to mid-70s. Some spots may not fall below 70.

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Wednesday brings more heat before storms increase late in the day ahead of a strong cold front. A few storms could turn strong to severe, with the main threats being damaging winds and hail, Taylor said.

Taylor said the timing and intensity of the storms remain uncertain at this time, but multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are possible between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

A sharp cooldown follows, with highs only reaching the 60s or barely 70 by Thursday and Friday. Some spots may even struggle to reach 60 by the end of the week, marking a significant and rapid change from the heat now blanketing the D.C. area.

With “about 97% percent of the region … in severe drought,” Taylor said some much needed rain is forecast to fall later this week.

“We’re looking at anywhere between 1 and 3 inches, and some locations could even pick up 4 inches, by the time we get toward the end of the weekend and that will help us try to improve the drought conditions across the area.”

FULL FORECAST

TUESDAY EVENING:
Stray storms possible
Temperatures: 90s to 80s
Winds: Southwest 5-15 mph

TUESDAY NIGHT:
Scattered clouds. Haze
Lows: 68-75
Winds: Southwest 5-15 mph

WEDNESDAY: WEATHER ALERT
Partly cloudy. PM rain, storms
Highs: 92-97
Winds: Southwest 5-15 mph

THURSDAY:
Cloudy. Scattered showers
Highs: 64-70
Winds: Northeast 5-10 mph

FRIDAY:
Scattered showers
Highs: near 60
Winds: Northeast 5-10 mph

SATURDAY:
Mostly cloudy, showers
Highs: 60s
Winds: East 5-10 mph

SUNDAY:
Lingering showers
Highs: 68-75
Winds: East 3-8 mph
Not a washout, but still far from ideal for outdoor holiday weekend plans. Plenty of clouds remain in place with scattered showers lingering through the day. Temperatures should recover a bit into the upper 60s and low to mid 70s, although the combination of gray skies and light east winds around 5 mph will keep things feeling cool for late May standards.

MEMORIAL DAY:
Mostly cloudy. Stray showers
Highs: 70-75
Winds: Southeast 5-10 mph
The overall trend points toward gradual improvement, but it still does not look like a picture-perfect Memorial Day across the DMV. Clouds will likely remain stubborn at times with at least a lingering chance for a shower, especially during the first half of the day. That said, there should be more dry time compared to the weekend, and a few breaks of sun may finally begin to pop by afternoon. Temperatures recover into the low to mid 70s with light east to southeast winds. Not a washout by any means, but probably not the classic hot and sunny pool weather many hope for on Memorial Day.