Sweltering heat breaks records with hopes wet weather will bring relief to DC

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Record-breaking temperatures roasted D.C.-area residents on Sunday with highs around 100 degrees. Amid the sweltering heat, there’s a possibility of evening showers and thunderstorms that could bring gusty winds. Here’s what you need to know.

Scattered storms and showers are expected until midnight, with a few leftover showers overnight.

Sunday brought intense temperatures, with heat index values forecast as high as 107, according to the National Weather Service.

An NWS heat advisory for the D.C. area expired just before 6:30 p.m.

Highs today will push toward 100 degrees in the Baltimore/DC metros with mid to upper 90s elsewhere across the region. Heat indices will run 100-108 degrees. Isolated to scattered t-storms arrive later this afternoon (after 3pm ) and into the evening hours. #MDwx #VAwx #WVwx pic.twitter.com/9MoaSwTvkD

— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) June 23, 2024

7News First Alert Meteorologist Jordan Evans said clouds will be streaming in Sunday night as meteorologists keep an eye out for showers and thunderstorm chances. Gusty winds are a concern, and there is a “non-zero” chance of tornado conditions north of Frederick, Maryland.

Temperatures are expected to drop overnight toward Monday’s commute. Highs are expected to be in the lower 90s and lower humidity later in the day.

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Record-breaking heat continues

Citing a “Heat Risk value” of 4 out of 4, Evans said the high temperatures on Sunday should be taken seriously.

“This level of rare and/or long-duration extreme heat with little to no overnight relief affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration,” Evans said.

More Weather News:

Temperatures broke records at all three local airports Sunday, according to NWS.

Dulles Airport reached 98 degrees, breaking the previous record of 96 degrees set in 1988 and 1965. Reagan Airport hit 99 degrees, breaking the 98-degree record set in 1988 and 1874. And it was 98 degrees at BWI Marshall Airport, breaking the record set in 2010 and 1894, when it was 97 degrees.

It comes amid an ongoing heat wave; temperatures broke records on Saturday afternoon featuring highs at or above 100.

Outages:

The heat proved challenging for residents in the District, with thousands reportedly without power in the Petworth area and parts of Prince George’s County, Maryland, on Saturday.

A dwindling number of D.C.-area residents continue to be without power with most local outages resolved.

A spokesperson for Pepco, the major utility provider for D.C. homes, told WTOP power crews were on the ground working to restore electricity.

“There are scattered underground issues that are impacting customers in the District and Prince George’s County. Our crews are investigating the cause and will work safely and quickly to restore power to impacted customers,” Pepco, the major utility provider for D.C. homes, said in reference to Saturday’s outages.

Pepco couldn’t confirm if heat or another factor was behind the outage, saying the issue remains under investigation by its crews.

Anyone who notices downed power lines or damaged equipment around their home is encouraged to maintain a safe distance and call to report the issue.

Current weather:

7News First Alert Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Showers and storms before midnight, leftover showers before sunrise. Lows in the 70s.
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph

MONDAY: Passing clouds, leftover showers. Highs in the lower to middle 90s.
Winds: West 5-15 mph

TUESDAY: Sunny and dry. Highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s.
Winds: West 5-10 mph

WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy, chance for storms. Highs in the middle 90s to 100, with a heat index between 100 and 105.
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph

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