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 麻豆官网 Service) Storm Prediction Center has put the immediate metro area under an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon,” 麻豆官网 meteorologist Mike Stinneford said. “Thunderstorms with gusts of 70 to 80 mph are possible.”

He added that the thunderstorm watch will go until 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,” 7News 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 麻豆官网 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.

Stinneford said the area is under a code purple air quality alert, which is unhealthy for everyone.

Amid the intense temperatures, Reagan National Airport broke a record last set in 1919: The high there hit 101 degrees.

BWI Marshall hit 101, breaking the old record of 100 set in 1898 and 1966.

Dulles Airport has tied its record high of 97, set back in 1999 and 2002.

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.

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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
Thunderstorms will become widespread across the region over the next few hours. Storms may produce damaging wind gusts up to 80 mph, large hail and torrential downpours. Lightning will be a risk for anyone outdoors. The bulk of the storms will end by 9 p.m., but some showers and storms may persist after that.

FIREWORKS FORECAST:
Lingering showers and storms
Temperatures: 90s to 80s
Winds: West 2-5 mph
Dangerously hot and humid with scattered thunderstorms. Storms may produce damaging wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph, large hail and heavy downpours.

SATURDAY NIGHT:
Hazy and humid, showers possible
Lows: 75-80
Showers and storms diminishing after 9 p.m. Hazy and humid. Lows 75 to 80

SUNDAY:
Hot and humid, afternoon storms
High: 95-100
Partly cloudy, hot and humid with potentially severe afternoon storms.

MONDAY:
Showers and storms
Highs: 85-90
Winds: East 5-10 mph
Heavy rain may cause flooding.