A large area of high pressure is sweeping in from the Great Plains and is expected to bring sweltering conditions to the Mid-Atlantic this weekend.
National Weather Service meteorologist Dan Hofmann said Friday air temperatures are likely to reach the mid-90s on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
“When you combine that with the humidity, it’s going to feel hot,” Hofmann said. “During the afternoon hours it’s going to feel like it’s well over 100 degrees, probably over 105, if not higher.”
He said the conditions will likely be the hottest in the Washington, D.C., region in the past three years. The last time the air temperature hit 100 degrees was in 2012, Hofmann said, although he noted that as of Friday morning meteorologists were not predicting air temperatures to rise above 100.
Montgomery County warned residents Thursday to be careful during the oppressive heat, asking them to stay indoors whenever possible. The county said its facilities, as well as shopping malls, movie theaters and museums, offer air-conditioning and residents should consider visiting them to escape the heat. Homeless shelters, which are normally closed during daytime hours, will remain open this weekend, the county said.
Pepco says it’s bracing for high energy use as residents turn up air conditioners. In a news release, the local utility said it has assigned 480 linemen, contractors and tree trimmers to the area to respond to outages if they occur.
The heat is expected to continue into Monday and Tuesday when highs in the mid-90s are anticipated, according to the weather service.
