How hot can July get?

WASHINGTON — Following D.C.'s second warmest June on record, the first half of July has featured a significant amount of record-setting heat. 

July 2024 has been so hot that it may rank among D.C.’s hottest Julys ever.

Following a torrid eight-day heat wave over the July 4 holiday, the District has seen even hotter weather. The four-day period between July 14 and 17, produced only the second stretch on record of four consecutive days of triple-digit heat. 

The first such stretch in the nation's capital was recorded from July 5, 2012, to July 8, 2012. However, the July 14 heat wave was even worse since D.C.'s highs were all at least 101°, unlike the four-day period in 2012.

July 2012 finished as D.C.'s second warmest month on record, with seven days in which high temperatures reached triple-digits.

D.C.'s hottest July, and its hottest month on record, remains July 2011. While it had fewer days of triple-digit heat than 2012, with only three, or this month's four-day stretch, July 2011 did have 11 days with highs of at least 95°, excluding the 100-degree days.

By comparison, so far this month, there were eight days of highs between 95° and 99°. Although no more triple-digit heat is on the horizon, the torrid weather Washingtonians have already experienced this month has put July 2024 in a strong position to rank among D.C.’s hottest on record.