Washington is stepping out into sticky, mostly clear air in the low 70s on Wednesday, May 20, and it is only going up from there. Heat is on track to spike into the upper 90s this afternoon before a sharp cold front sparks showers and thunderstorms, some of which could be strong to severe.
Afternoon And Evening Storms
Storms are expected to fire up in the early to mid-afternoon and then march east into the metro between about 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Wednesday, with the most widespread activity favored north of I-66 and U.S. 50. Any storm that pops could bring brief torrential rain, frequent lightning and gusty straight-line winds strong enough to trigger downbursts, with large hail possible in the beefiest cells. Storm activity should fade later Wednesday night, but a few pockets of showers could linger into the overnight hours, with lows near 60°F, according to the National Weather Service.
Heat And Records
Afternoon highs are forecast to push near 97°F in parts of the city, so some neighborhoods may come close to or briefly top daily records that sit in the mid-90s. Overnight lows stuck in the low 70s will not offer much relief until the front sweeps through. The cooldown behind it will be abrupt, with highs on Thursday expected to tumble into the upper 60s as the region trends cooler and showery into the holiday weekend. For more context on the warmup and details on local cooling resources, check out D.C. bakes near 100.
Impacts And Advice
Expect outdoor plans this afternoon and evening to be at the mercy of the radar. If you can, shift activities earlier in the day and make sure you have an indoor backup. Boaters should keep an eye out for a Small Craft Advisory on parts of the bay from late Wednesday afternoon into the evening. Drivers should be ready for sudden downpours, ponding on roadways and fallen branches kicked up by gusty winds. It is a good day to charge phones, secure loose patio furniture and keep an eye on local alerts if you are heading out for the evening or counting on dry weather.
