Weather Quiz

 

True or False. 

Hurricane Beryl has become the strongest Atlantic June hurricane on record.

DC sizzles under June 2024's heat wave

 

A warm June day in the nation's capital

June is well-positioned to finish among DC's hottest and potentially driest on record. Although the June 5 severe weather outbreak was DC's major weather story early in the month, it's given way to the hot and dry weather that's dominated weather headlines since then.

The nation's capital experienced its longest heat wave in nearly four years during an 11-day stretch from June 17 - June 27. That was the longest such stretch since a 20-day period during the summer of 2020. It was also the longest heat wave to occur entirely within the month of June since another 11-day stretch in 2010.

The June 22 high of 100° was just one degree short of tying the daily record high in the nation's capital. It was D.C.'s first day of triple-digit heat since August 15, 2016. It was also the first instance of triple-digit heat during June in nearly 12 years since June 29, 2012. Highs of 99° also occurred this month on June 23 and June 26. 

The nation's capital hasn't seen two days of triple-digit June heat since 1959. According to data from NOAA, the nation's capital has averaged one June day of triple-digit heat roughly every six years over the last 30 years, so D.C. was due for triple-digit heat this June without any since 2012.

This June has also been a very dry month with long stretches without measurable rainfall. Most of the rain that has occurred this month (1.01" as of June 27) fell during thunderstorms.  Such was the case on June 5, when 13 confirmed tornadoes were reported within the DMV for one of the largest outbreaks in recent memory. 

DC's driest June's on record (Source: NOAA)

1. 0.86" (1940)
2. 0.95" (1988)
3. 1.13" (2017)
4. 1.21" (1976)
5. 1.24" (1954, 1894)
7. 1.27" (1991)
8. 1.29" (1986)
9. 1.30" (1964)
10. 1.33" (1898)

Average: 4.20"

 

DC's warmest June's (Source: NOAA)

1. 80.6° (2010)
2. 79.4° (1994)
3. 79.2° (1943)
4. 78.8° (2011)
5. 78.7° (1981)
6. 78.1° (2015)
7. 77.9° (2008)
8. 77.6° (1976)
9. 77.4° (1925)
10. 77.3° (2017)

Average: 76.3°

Perspective on the June 5 severe weather outbreak

 

Confirmed June 5 tornadoes (Source: NOAA)

The June 5 tornado outbreak ranks among D.C.'s most significant severe weather outbreaks. Not because there were fatalities or a lot of damage, but because 13 confirmed tornadoes are a significant total for any outbreak in this part of the country. Check out this article I wrote recently for the WUSA website for more details.