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You could be forgiven for thinking it’s July rather than October in the D.C. region today. The National Weather Service (NWS) says the temperature at Reagan National Airport broke an October record earlier this afternoon: 97 degrees Fahrenheit, one degree above the previous record for the month, which was set almost 80 years ago, in 1941. D.C. area temperatures are approximately 20 to 25 degrees higher than they normally are, according to weather officials.
NWS also reports that all three area airports—Reagan, Baltimore–Washington International, and Dulles International—by noon shattered daily temperature records, last set in the 1980s.
With a current temperature of 97°, Reagan National Airport has broken the record for all time high temperature in the month of October. Previous record was 96°, which was set on October 5th, 1941. #DCwx
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) October 2, 2019
As of Noon, Reagan National Airport has broken a daily high temperature record by reaching 93°. The previous record was 89°, set in 1986. Temperatures will continue to rise, with the monthly high temperature record in jeopardy, which is 96°, set on October 5th, 1941. #DCwx
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) October 2, 2019
As of 11AM, daily high temperature records were broken at both Dulles Airport & BWI Airport. Dulles reached 91°, while BWI reached 92°. These both break previous daily records of 89°, set in 1986. Temperatures will continue to rise this afternoon, with monthly records possible.
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) October 2, 2019
Record setting #heat today with the all-time #October record high temperatures in jeopardy. Temperatures this afternoon will run 20-25°F above normal, making it feel more like July than early October. Latest: https://t.co/5RyZgpeTAT. #dcwx #mdwx #vawx #wvwx pic.twitter.com/l6gv97FEjj
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) October 2, 2019
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser around 1 p.m. declared a heat emergency, activating municipal resources such as cooling centers to serve heat-sensitive residents. According to the Capital Weather Gang, “Wednesday also marked the 61st day at or above 90 in Washington in 2019, ranking as the third most on record in a calendar year, only trailing 1980 and 2010, which had 67 such days.” A heat dome over the eastern U.S. is supposed to dissipate by tomorrow.
Heat Emergency Plan Activated
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) October 2, 2019
️ Find shade or air conditioning
Drink water
☀️ Wear sunscreen
If you see someone in need of help dial 311
Check on pets
For cooling centers: https://t.co/42swa1TSjU
#StayCoolDChttps://t.co/QIXMlZsaKb pic.twitter.com/ux0vSxuLIL
Update, 2:30 p.m.:
Baltimore–Washington International Airport has also set a monthly temperature record.
With a maximum temperature of 98° so far today (as of 2pm), BWI Airport has broken the all time temperature record for the month of October. The previous record was 97°, set on October 5th, 1941. #MDwx
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) October 2, 2019
Update, 4 p.m.:
Count Dulles International among the airports that broke October heat records today, too.
With a maximum temperature of 95° so far today, Dulles International Airport has broken the all time temperature record for the month of October. The previous record was 94°, set on October 9th, 2007. #VAwx
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) October 2, 2019