A Hot and Dry First Half of July

This past April, May and June combined to become D.C.’s wettest three-month period since 2014.  That was also the last time Washingtonians experienced three or more consecutive months with above average precipitation.  The rainfall that occurred from April 1 through June 30 was quite beneficial and helped put a dent in D.C.’s ongoing rainfall deficit.  

The Nation’s Capital had 26 drier than average months during the 32-month period from August 2015 through March 2018.  That produced rainfall deficit of 16.42” in Washington, D.C. over the 32-month period.  However, that was followed by the rainy stretch of April 2018 through June 2018 that produced a rainfall surplus of 6.7”.  Fortunately, that put a dent in D.C.’s rainfall deficit.  The Nation’s Capital also finished the first six months of 2018 with a rainfall surplus of 5.44”.

However, July 2018 has gotten off to a hot and dry start in Washington, D.C.  No measurable rain has occurred in the Nation’s Capital since June 27 (0.04”).  Washingtonians also experienced the longest heat wave in the city since 2016 during the seven-day period from June 29 through July 5.  Today is also the 17^th consecutive day without measurable rainfall in Washington, D.C.  Based on National Weather Service data, the period of July 1 through July 12 was D.C.’s driest since 1963.  That was the last time no measurable rainfall occurred during the first 12 days of July.  A new record will also be set this weekend in Washington, D.C. for driest first two weeks of July since no rain will occur today.

However, the Nation’s Capital has had longer stretches without measurable rainfall such as a 33-day stretch that ended on September 8, 1995.  Washingtonians also had no rain from June 18 to July 10, 1988.  Longtime residents may remember that the summers of 1988 and 1995 were both warmer than average in the Nation’s Capital.  Consequently, there are some similarities between those dry streaks and the current streak.  

The lack of rain combined with the recent hot weather has created some very dry soil.  That’s why area lawns and gardens have needed to be watered more frequently the last few weeks.  Since April, May and June were wetter than average, the local reservoirs and water table are both OK.  Scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely in the D.C. Metro Area on Monday and Tuesday.  NOAA is also expecting wetter than average conditions in the Mid-Atlantic Region over the next six to ten days.

NOAA's Precipitation Outlook for the next 6-10 Days