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DC Heat Wave: September Starts Scorching Hot!
2 Sep
Summary
- Temperatures will reach at least 94 degrees Tuesday through Thursday.
- Humidity will make the heat index reach triple digits on Tuesday.
- A strong high-pressure system is causing the unseasonable warmth.
Washington DC is currently enduring a sweltering heat wave as September begins, with temperatures soaring well above seasonal norms. Highs are predicted to reach at least 94 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The accompanying humidity will make the perceived temperature, or heat index, reach dangerous triple digits on Tuesday.
This intense late-summer heat is due to a powerful high-pressure system that has settled over the region. This meteorological setup suppresses cloud formation and precipitation, allowing solar radiation to drive temperatures upward. Daily high temperatures are significantly warmer than the normal early September maximum of 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fortunately for residents, this oppressive pattern is expected to break later in the week. A cold front is forecast to move through the area, bringing a significant decrease in both temperature and humidity. This will usher in more seasonable conditions for the upcoming Labor Day weekend.
