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Your Fourth of July barbecue may come with a side of storms Thursday, after a hot and humid day in the D.C. area.
After a relatively cool Monday and Tuesday, record-breaking heat is hitting the entire continental U.S. for Independence Day, according to the National Weather Service, which has issued a heat advisory for the entire D.C. region from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday.
“Record-breaking and dangerous heat is forecast to make this Fourth of July week a scorcher across much of the West and from the southern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic,” the weather service said.
Around D.C., peak heat index values between 100 and 105 degrees are expected.
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The D.C. area will be hit with a warm front, bringing temperatures into the 90s for the end of the week and leading to a sweltering holiday.
“The warming trend continues on Thursday as high temperatures reach the mid 90s for most,” the weather service said. “An increase in moisture will result in heat indexes ranging from 94 to 103 degrees at lower elevations. Overnight low temperatures will be in the 70s for most.”
Then a cool front is forecast to move in, causing scattered showers Thursday through Saturday.
“The cold front will move over the forecast area this weekend before stalling over the area allowing precipitation chances to linger through the weekend,” the weather service said. “Numerous thunderstorms are expected, peaking Thursday afternoon as the frontal boundary stalls just west of the forecast area.”
Outdoor Independence Day celebrations may be forced to move indoors, as those showers could possibly do some damage, according to 7News First Alert Meteorologist Eileen Whelan.
“During the middle of the afternoon some scattered showers and storms may develop, and with the higher temperatures and higher humidity some of those storms could be strong to severe,” Whelan said.
While there’s a 60% chance of rain across the D.C. region, you should still be dry and ready for fireworks by the time the sun goes down.
“We’re dry by the time fireworks are going off in the 9 o’clock hour,” Whelan said.
The hot, humid and rainy weather continues through the weekend, with highs staying firmly in the 90s and scattered showers forecast in the afternoons and evenings.
“We are gonna be hot and humid Friday and Saturday with afternoon rain chances,” Whelan said. “Dry on Sunday with highs in the low 90s.”
Current weather:
Forecast:
FOURTH OF JULY: THURSDAY
HEAT ADVISORY, STORM ALERT, AIR QUALITY ALERT
Partly Cloudy
Risk of Showers, Storms
Highs: 90-95
Heat Index: near 100-105
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
Plan for a typical hot and humid 4th of July with a chance for mother nature’s fireworks this afternoon. A Heat Advisory begins at Noon and will last until 8 p.m. Highs for the day will reach the low 90s with feels like temperatures near 100 degrees. A passing shower is possible this morning, but more widely scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely during the afternoon and evening, some with pockets of moderate to heavy rain. One or two storms could reach severe limits with damaging winds, so have a way to get alerts later today. If thunder roars, head indoors. Fortunately, most of the rain and storm activity should be over by the time the fireworks go off in the 9 p.m. hour.
THURSDAY NIGHT:
Mostly Cloudy
Lows: 75-80
Winds: Southwest 5 mph
It will be a warm and muggy night with lows in the 70s.
FRIDAY:
HEAT ALERT
Partly Sunny
PM Storms
Highs: 93-97
Heat Index: 100-105
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
Plan for an even hotter and more humid day to round out the week. High temperatures will soar into the mid-90s, but with the humidity, feels-like temperatures will near 105 degrees. Additional chance for showers and storms are possible during the afternoon and early evening hours.
SATURDAY:
Partly Sunny
Highs: 92-96
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
It will be another very hot and very humid day with feels like temperatures nearing 105 during the afternoon. An isolated shower or storm is possible.
SUNDAY:
Partly to Mostly Sunny
Highs: 90-95
Winds: Northwest 5-10 mph
A drop in humidity is expected to round out the weekend, which will be a welcome change. It will still be hot with afternoon highs in the low to mid 90s.
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