D.C.-area forecast: Potentially dangerous heat and humidity this weekend (2024)

Temperatures that could deliver our hottest weekend in years arrive today and pick up a bit Saturday through Sunday. A prolonged period of dangerously high heat and humidity will threaten the entire area. It may feel like 105 to 110 during the afternoons. Because of that, an excessive heat watch has been issued for Saturday and may be extended into Sunday. Just a slight storm chance by Saturday with perhaps a few strong storms possible Sunday and Monday.

If you haven’t been preparing for the heat already, get into gear by drinking plenty of water, replenishing electrolytes, slowing down, seeking shade, wearing lightweight and light-colored clothing. Finally, seek air conditioning and help those around you in need, as well.

Today (Friday): It’ll be super bright with maybe one last day of “moderate” humidity (dew points generally in the mid-60s). Low-to-mid 90s may feel near 100 in the most humid spots, but widespread dangerous heat index levels are not as likely as over the weekend. Breezes from the south may be limited, unfortunately, capping any refreshment potential. Confidence: High

Tonight: Warm and mainly clear conditions continue. Humidity ticks up a tiny notch as the “strawberry” full moon rises in the east. Temperatures bottom out by sunrise, dipping near 70 to mid-70s. Confidence: High

Follow us on YouTube, Facebook, X, and Instagram for the latest updates. Keep reading for the forecast into next week …

Tomorrow (Saturday): The excessive heat watch means heat index values around 105 to 110 degrees are a risk. Temperatures, alone, without considering the high dew points near 70, may approach record values in some spots, reaching in the mid-90s to around 100. A lucky few — favored west and north of town particularly — might see a cooling afternoon shower or storm. Overall, though, it’s a sunny day in which we’ll want more than the measly breezes provided. Confidence: Medium-High

Tomorrow night: An isolated storm could continue into mid-evening hours but most of the region stays dry. Steady southerly breezes should give us the warmest (borderline dangerous) overnight low temperatures of this heat wave. Around 80 downtown and mid-70s in the luckier spots away from urban density. Please stay cool and check on people and pets who cannot. Confidence: Medium-High

Sunday: Potentially again feeling around 105 to 110 degrees when considering high humidity and temperatures shooting for the mid-90s to around 100 degrees. There’s a better shot at record high temperatures than Saturday given slightly lower targets. What’s improved over Saturday is stronger breezes and greater cloud cover as afternoon and evening showers and storms move in (40 percent chance). Any storms that form may become intense. Confidence: Medium

Sunday night: Muggy 70s again for low temperatures as peak humidity may arrive with dew points over 70 degrees. This juicy atmosphere continues to feed showers and storm chances overnight and toward sunrise. One or two could still possess hail and high wind gusts. Confidence: Medium

Our highest chance for strong storms Monday may still be limited in coverage area, but the passing cold front is working its way through our hot, humid air. Details of any severe threat should become clearer as we get closer. Lightning, downpours, damaging wind gusts, and hail are possible — though half of the area may remain dry (unfortunately). Temperatures top out within a few degrees of 95. Confidence: Medium

A bit of “dry heat” Tuesday is possible behind our cold front. High temperatures may still aim for the low-to-mid-90s but dew points could, if we’re lucky, stay under 60 degrees, which is semi-comfortable territory. Skies are likely to be very sunny. There’s also a hint we might see a quick afternoon shower or storm in the area. Confidence: Medium