Northern Virginia’s first heatwave of the year is scorching the area, but these extreme temperatures will evaporate as highs plummet ahead of the weekend, according to the latest forecasts.
Tuesday will be the apex of the heatwave, forecasters said. The blistering heat will continue into Wednesday afternoon before thunderstorms roll in, bringing rain, potentially damaging winds, and much cooler temperatures Wednesday night and into the next few days.
The start of Memorial Day Weekend will be cloudy, wet, and unseasonably cold, according to predictions.
But for now, the heat is setting records. Dulles International Airport saw a new all-time high on Monday when temperatures hit 95, according to the Washington Post. That might not be the only marker to fall: Dulles’ 1997 record high of 92 degrees is likely to be surpassed on Tuesday, and its 1996 high of 93 the following day also looks vulnerable. According to the Capital Weather Gang, records were set as far as Philadelphia with a high of 96 and Elkins, West Virginia, with a high of 90.
High temperatures for the region on Tuesday will be close to 100 degrees, with Dulles staring down a Tuesday high of 98 degrees. The Washington Post predicts sunny skies, moderate humidity and hot winds across the DC Metro area.
A drastic shift in temperature will occur between Wednesday and Thursday, when the predicted high will plummet by nearly 30 degrees, taking the region from unseasonable heat to unseasonable cold.
Accuweather anticipates highs in the lower 60s and upper 50s Thursday through Saturday, with the region finally realizing what month it is and returning to highs in the 70s beginning Sunday and continuing throughout next week.
Here's a look at the detailed forecast for Northern Virginia:
Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. West wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 2pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 96. Light southwest wind becoming west 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 58. North wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday: Showers likely, mainly before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. North wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: Showers likely, mainly after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. High near 63. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Old Town Alexandria, VA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.