Heat wave targets DC region: Could records be broken?

Mother Nature is turning up the heat across D.C., Maryland and Virginia, and it will feel like summer right through the weekend, with temperatures 12 to 18 degrees above normal.

“Friday will be the first 90 degree day in the Baltimore and Washington Metropolitan Areas since last September,” the National Weather Service said. “Saturday is forecast to be the hottest day of the weekend, with many locations reaching the mid 90s and heat indices approaching 100. This level of heat will continue through Sunday.”

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The temperatures will gradually get hotter over the coming days.

While temperatures dipped as low as the upper 50s Thursday night, they could jolt as high as the lower 90s on Friday, with highs well into the 90s on Saturday.

The National Weather Service forecasts high temperatures on Friday and Saturday to be 12 to 18 degrees above normal.

Dry weather will continue through the remainder of the day with low humidity on tap. Even further cooling is expected tomorrow ahead of the first bout of 90 degree days set for Fri & Sat. Check back at https://t.co/t54l4F2YTW for the latest forecast! #MDwx #VAwx #DCwx #WVwx pic.twitter.com/UegiHZBLQP

— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) May 17, 2022

So what are the record highs for the region?

May 20

D.C. area — 96 degrees, set in 1996
Baltimore — 95 degrees, set in 1962
Dulles — 93 degrees, set in 1996

May 21

D.C. area — 95 degrees, set in 1934
Baltimore — 96 degrees, set in 1934
Dulles — 92 degrees, set in 1996

May 22

D.C. area — 96 degrees, set in 1941
Baltimore — 98 degrees, set in 1941
Dulles — 89 degrees, set in 2021

Storm4 meteorologist Mike Stinneford said the heat and humidity will continue into Sunday, before showers and thunderstorms develop ahead of a cold front.

Monday should be “cooler, but unsettled,” Stinneford said.