Washington, D.C. experienced its first 100-degree day since August 15, 2016. This marks the end of a lengthy streak without such extreme heat, one of the longest on record for the city.
The high temperature of 100 degrees reached today is not a record for the date but is notable for being the earliest in the year that the city has reached this milestone since 2011. Other local sites, such as Dulles International Airport and Baltimore’s BWI Marshall, also experienced scorching temperatures, breaking previous records set in 1988.
The city’s 122nd observed 100-degree day since modern records began in 1872 highlights the rarity of such extreme heat. With roughly 16 percent of these days occurring in June, the majority falling in July, and a significant portion in August, Washington, D.C. faces the impact of climate change as heatwaves become more frequent.
The recent streak of high temperatures above 90 degrees, with nine days reaching or surpassing that mark so far this season, is indicative of a changing climate. The city’s average of 40 such days over a warm season may increase as global temperatures rise.
While the gap in 100-degree days from 2016 until now has been significant, the expectation is for more extreme heat days annually as the effects of climate change become more pronounced. With forecasts predicting a hotter than normal July, Washington, D.C. may see more triple-digit days in the coming weeks.
The historical significance of these extreme temperatures, with previous years recording multiple triple-digit days, serves as a reminder of the ongoing impact of climate change. As the city braces for potential additional 100-degree days in the near future, the looming threat of hotter summers poses challenges for residents and policymakers alike.