Extreme Heat Hitting DC For July 4—Could Trump’s Celebrations Be Derailed?
Meteorologists are warning a potentially historic heat wave taking hold of a large part of the country this week could bring dangerous temperatures to Washington, D.C., for President Donald Trump’s planned celebrations for the country’s 250th anniversary.
Forecasters at the National Weather Service are warning of a dangerous heat dome that will begin bringing “extreme” heat to parts of the Midwest starting on Tuesday, before moving east and settling over most of the Northeast by the Independence Day weekend.
Washington, D.C., could see the highest level of heat risk beginning on Thursday, according to the NWS, which the agency defines as “rare and/or long-duration extreme heat with no overnight relief.”
Some models collected by Capital Weather see a high temperature of 106 degrees Fahrenheit in D.C. on Friday—which would tie the city’s all-time high temperature record last set in 1918 and 1930.
Washington, D.C., could also potentially see its hottest Fourth of July on record—the NWS is projecting a high temperature of 101, while the record for hottest Independence Day in the capital was set at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in 1919.
Many of the America 250 events are taking place outside on the National Mall (which has sparse natural shade), including the Great American State Fair, a FIFA World Cup watch area and the Salute to America fireworks display and air show.
The fireworks display, which in past years took place at 8 p.m., was pushed back to 11 p.m. and could go on for a longer period of time than usual, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced on Monday, at a press briefing where she warned residents to “really watch the heat, watch what they’re drinking and get home as soon as the fireworks are over.”
Speaking alongside Bowser at a press briefing on Monday, Clint Osborne, director of the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, warned the city was facing a “multi-day heat wave” that could bring record-breaking temperatures. He encouraged Washingtonians to plan ahead of time if they intend to participate in any of the celebrations. “Drink lots of water even if you don’t feel thirsty. Take breaks in the shade or in the air conditioning and check on your neighbors, loved ones, and pets. If you or someone you know starts to feel dizzy, nauseous, or stops sweating, becomes lethargic or unresponsive, these are signs of heat illness and injury. Please get them somewhere cool and quickly, and if they become unresponsive, call 911.”
The heat wave will also impact other major cities across the Midwest and East Coast this week, including New York City, Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta. Several could reach or break record temperatures this week, the NWS said on Monday, including New York, where the America 250’s International Naval Review & Sail will take place on Independence Day, as well as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s highly anticipated wedding—expected to take place at Madison Square Garden on July 3.