July Fourth brings more oppressive heat, severe storm potential

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D.C. area residents and July Fourth visitors are enduring a third day of searing heat, this time with the possibility of afternoon and evening thunderstorms that are expected to pack a punch.

“The (National Weather Service) Storm Prediction Center has put the immediate metro area under an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon,” 小萝莉影视 meteorologist Mike Stinneford said. “Thunderstorms with gusts of 70 to 80 mph are possible. The time frame for the worst of the storms is 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.”

The late evening storms could add a new challenge to holiday festivities, several of which have already been changed or canceled due to the oppressive and dangerous heat.

“Damaging winds are the main threat, and some storms may produce gusts up to 70 to 80 mph, capable of bringing down trees and power lines, causing scattered power outages and creating dangerous travel conditions,” 7小萝莉影视 First Alert Meteorologist Steve Rudin said. “Torrential rain and frequent lightning are also possible.”

The storm risk is expected to ease later in the evening, in time for the fireworks scheduled to begin at around 10:30 p.m. on the National Mall.

But “anyone heading downtown will need to stay weather aware and have a safe place to go if warnings are issued,” Rudin said.

The National Weather Service also has the region under an until 9 p.m., with highs expected to reach or exceed the Fourth of July record of 100 degrees in 1919. Combined with high humidity, heat index values could reach 110 to
115.

Soaring triple-digit temperatures also broke records over the previous two days.

Independence Day storms are not expected to provide much relief from the heat and humidity. Sunday’s highs are in the high 90s, and more storms are predicted in the afternoon and on Monday.聽

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SATURDAY/JULY FOURTH:
EXTREME HEAT WARNING UNTIL 9 P.M.
Increasing afternoon clouds; severe storm risk
Highs: Around 100
Winds: West 5-10 mph

FIREWORKS FORECAST:
Lingering showers and storms
Temperatures: 90s to 80s
Winds: West 2-5 mph

SATURDAY NIGHT:
Hazy and humid, showers possible
Lows: 75-80
Winds: Light
Storms should gradually wind down but scattered showers or a rumble of thunder may linger, especially during the first part of the night. It stays very warm and humid, with temperatures only falling into the upper 70s to near 80. Any areas hit by repeated storms could deal with ponding water or localized flooding. The air will remain very muggy overnight, with little real relief from the heat.

SUNDAY:
WEATHER ALERT
Partly cloudy, hot and humid; risk of strong afternoon storms
High: 93-98
Winds: West 10-15 mph
Sunday is not as hot as previous days, but it remains very humid and unsettled. Highs reach the upper 90s, with heat index values near 100 to 105 at times. More showers and storms are likely, especially during the afternoon and evening. Damaging winds remain possible with the stronger storms, but repeated downpours may become a bigger concern. Any storm could produce heavy rain in a short amount of time, raising the risk for localized flooding.

MONDAY:
Showers and storms
Highs: 85-90
Winds: East 5-10 mph
The front will still be nearby, keeping the pattern active and unsettled. Expect a mostly cloudy, humid day with highs mainly in the mid 80s to near 90 degrees. Showers and storms are likely at times, and some rain could be heavy. The forecast will need to be watched closely, especially in the D.C. metro where urban flood risk will increase.

TUESDAY:
Scattered showers
Highs: 80s
Winds: North 5-10 mph
Conditions slowly improve, but it does not look completely dry. Highs stay in the low to mid 80s with plenty of clouds and a few lingering showers possible, especially early in the day. The severe threat looks lower, and the humidity should start to ease a bit compared to the weekend. Still, with wet ground and recent heavy rain, any additional downpours could cause minor flooding in the usual trouble spots.