Memorable June heat in the nation’s capital

A stellar summer day in Washington, D.C.

Although June is typically DC’s third hottest month of the year, it can also feature heat as extreme as July or August. For example, the nation’s capital experienced a record high of 100° on June 12. That was only the second day of triple-digit June heat in Washington, D.C. in the last decade.

DC’s triple-digit heat on June 12 was part of a five-day heat wave through June 14. That made it the longest heat wave in the nation’s capital during the first half of June since 2015. A “heat wave” is loosely defined as a minimum of three consecutive days of 90-degree heat.

While the nation’s capital has now seen triple-digit June heat in two of the last three June’s, it remains relatively rare. DC’s high temperature of 100° on June 12 was only the fifth June day of triple-digit heat at National Airport this century and first since June 22, 2024. Prior to that, there hadn’t been any triple-digit June heat in the nation’s capital since 2012.

The nation's capital has averaged one June day of triple-digit heat roughly every six years since the 1990s, according to NOAA. Washington, D.C. hasn’t observed two days of triple-digit June heat since 1959.

The nation’s capital has experienced five of its ten hottest June’s on record over just the last two decades. Although this month isn’t likely to rank among the Top 10 warmest, this month has also been exceptionally dry with only 0.21” of rain since June 1. Two of DC’s Top 10 driest June’s have also occurred over the last decade. Some may recall that June 2024 was both very hot and dry in the nation’s capital. It remains one of only two June’s to rank among the Top 10 for being both hot and dry along with 1976.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center expects near to above average temperatures across the DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia) over the final third of June. Above average rainfall is also possible for the DMV over the next 10 days to two weeks. That would be great news for the ongoing drought conditions across the DMV.

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

1. 0.86" (1940)
2. 0.95" (1988)
3. 1.13" (2017)
4. 1.15" (2024)
5. 1.21" (1976)
6. 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. 79.7° (2024)
3. 79.4° (1994)
4. 79.2° (1943)
5. 78.8° (2011)
6. 78.7° (1981)
7. 78.1° (2015)
8. 77.9° (2008)
9. 77.6° (1976)
10. 77.4° (1925)

Average: 76.3°