(This story has been updated).
It was higher here than Miami, Charleston, Atlanta, Raleigh, Dallas, Houston and Little Rock.
Even if you’re a purist and consider just the air temperature, the only hotter weather in the U.S. could be found in the desert Southwest, where it wasn’t as humid.
The air temperature in D.C. today is forecast to approach the century mark this afternoon, challenging the record set in 1930 of 100. If we hit 100, it will be the first instance since July 26, 2012.
Dual areas of high pressure are to blame for the excessive heat and humidity.
One area of high pressure is centered at high altitudes directly over the mid-Atlantic — a “heat dome.” This is directly responsible for the hot air.
At the surface, a second area of high pressure is centered just off the Southeast coast. Its clockwise circulation is steering extremely humid air from both the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico into the D.C. region.
This configuration of pressure systems is characteristic of our most brutal heat waves and seems to occur annually for at least a day or two.
Going back to 2011, we have identified at least one day each year in which D.C. has boasted the nation’s most oppressive heat. Here are past examples documented:
