Independence Day weather in the nation’s capital

 

American symbols: U.S. flag and the bald eagle

Residents and tourists alike around the nation’s capital are in for a treat this holiday weekend with seasonal temperatures and dry conditions. Today’s expected high temperatures in the upper 80s more closely resemble the average temperatures for Independence Day compared to the mid to upper 90s that dominated local weather headlines a year ago.

Longtime Washingtonians have come to expect hazy, hot and humid conditions for the July 4 holiday. Washingtonians have experienced 100° heat at least once during the two-week period of June 22 and July 6 on five separate occasions over the last 30 years.

Washington, D.C.’s record high on July 4 is 100° (1919), although it reached 99° in 1999, 2002 and 2012. An unusually cool July 4 holiday in the nation’s capital occurred in 2016 with a high of only 74°. Average high/low temperatures in the nation’s capital are 89°/72°.

A punishing heat wave occurred in the nation’s capital from June 28 through July 8, 2012. High temperatures were at least 95° on 11 consecutive days, with highs of 100° or greater five times. Washington, D.C. set three record highs during this heat wave including on June 29 (104°) and on July 7 (105°). That’s just one degree below the city’s hottest all-time temperature of 106° that’s occurred twice (in 1918 and 1930).

Rain and severe weather have frequently interrupted the July 4 holiday. Washington, D.C.’s wettest July 4 occurred in 2004 when 2.18” of rain fell. Severe weather also affected an untold number of barbecues and fireworks displays in and around the DC Metro Area in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Showers and storms brought the nation’s capital 0.26” of rain last July 4, but conditions improved in time for the fireworks on the National Mall.