SUMMER WEATHER: Heat Dome Explained
A heat dome is a ridge of high pressure that traps hot air like a lid on a pot, pushing temperatures roughly 30°F above normal and lingering for days. Instead of letting hot air rise and disperse, the high pressure pushes it back down, compressing and warming it further, while also blocking clouds and storms that might otherwise bring relief. The result: day after day of intensifying heat with little to break the cycle.
A heat dome is a ridge of high pressure that traps hot air like a lid on a pot, pushing temperatures roughly 30°F above normal and lingering for days. Instead of letting hot air rise and disperse, the high pressure pushes it back down, compressing and warming it further, while also blocking clouds and storms that might otherwise bring relief. The result: day after day of intensifying heat with little to break the cycle.
What is a heat dome? How will it impact the DC region?
A heat dome is a ridge of high pressure that traps hot air like a lid on a pot, pushing temperatures roughly 30°F above normal and lingering for days. Instead of letting hot air rise and disperse, the high pressure pushes it back down, compressing and warming it further, while also blocking clouds and storms that might otherwise bring relief. The result: day after day of intensifying heat with little to break the cycle.
A heat dome is a ridge of high pressure that traps hot air like a lid on a pot, pushing temperatures roughly 30°F above normal and lingering for days. Instead of letting hot air rise and disperse, the high pressure pushes it back down, compressing and warming it further, while also blocking clouds and storms that might otherwise bring relief. The result: day after day of intensifying heat with little to break the cycle.
Extreme Heat Watch, Heat Advisories issued as dangerous conditions grip the DMV
Dangerously hot conditions with extreme heat index values are expected across Washington, D.C., Maryland and northern Virginia from Wednesday through the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Dangerously hot conditions with extreme heat index values are expected across Washington, D.C., Maryland and northern Virginia from Wednesday through the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
DC weather forecast: Record-breaking heat wave moves in mid-week
A massive heat dome is moving east, making for a dangerous heat wave this holiday week in the DMV. Starting Wednesday on, we'll see high to oppressive humidity and temperatures into the low 100s.
A massive heat dome is moving east, making for a dangerous heat wave this holiday week in the DMV. Starting Wednesday on, we'll see high to oppressive humidity and temperatures into the low 100s.
DC weather: Extreme heat expected this week across the DMV
Extreme heat is expected to build across the Washington, D.C. region later this week, with temperatures reaching near or above 100 degrees as the Fourth of July holiday approaches.
Extreme heat is expected to build across the Washington, D.C. region later this week, with temperatures reaching near or above 100 degrees as the Fourth of July holiday approaches.
Extreme heat dome expected to bring triple-digit temperatures
Following a period of unseasonably cool, rainy weather, an intense heat dome is moving in, setting up potentially dangerous and record-breaking conditions. High temperatures are forecasted to spike well into the 90s by Tuesday and hit the triple digits starting on Wednesday. The extreme heat surge comes just days ahead of the upcoming Independence Day holiday.
Following a period of unseasonably cool, rainy weather, an intense heat dome is moving in, setting up potentially dangerous and record-breaking conditions. High temperatures are forecasted to spike well into the 90s by Tuesday and hit the triple digits starting on Wednesday. The extreme heat surge comes just days ahead of the upcoming Independence Day holiday.
DC Weather: Temperatures to reach the 100s in the week ahead
Expect temperatures to reach the 100s this upcoming week and stat in the upper 90s for the July 4th weekend.
Expect temperatures to reach the 100s this upcoming week and stat in the upper 90s for the July 4th weekend.
DC weather: Sunday morning forecast
Isolate thunderstorms possible Sunday evening ahead of dangerous heat later this week.
Isolate thunderstorms possible Sunday evening ahead of dangerous heat later this week.
DMV weather forecast: Clearing skies before massive heat dome
Some storms sweeping through the area to close out the weekend will give way to an oppressive heat wave thanks to a heat dome.
Some storms sweeping through the area to close out the weekend will give way to an oppressive heat wave thanks to a heat dome.
DC Weather Authority: Showers Saturday, major heat wave next week
The D.C. region is starting the weekend with showers and a possible rumble of thunder, but FOX 5’s Gwen Tolbart says Saturday will not be a washout. Keep the umbrella handy through the day and into the evening before conditions improve Sunday. The bigger weather story arrives next week, when a major heat wave is expected to bring hotter, more humid conditions.
The D.C. region is starting the weekend with showers and a possible rumble of thunder, but FOX 5’s Gwen Tolbart says Saturday will not be a washout. Keep the umbrella handy through the day and into the evening before conditions improve Sunday. The bigger weather story arrives next week, when a major heat wave is expected to bring hotter, more humid conditions.
DC weather forecast: Storms possible over weekend before massive heat wave
Some storms are possible Saturday, moving out before the weekend's over. But it'll be hot and humid next week, including what could be a record-breaking heat wave throughout the region.
Some storms are possible Saturday, moving out before the weekend's over. But it'll be hot and humid next week, including what could be a record-breaking heat wave throughout the region.
Showers and storms are possible Friday night across parts of the Washington, D.C. region and could linger into Saturday.
Showers and storms are possible Friday night across parts of the Washington, D.C. region and could linger into Saturday.
Showers and storms are possible Friday night across parts of the Washington, D.C. region and could linger into Saturday.
DC weather: Chance of showers and thunderstorms Friday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms is expected Friday across parts of the Washington, D.C., region as wet weather continues into the weekend.
A chance of showers and thunderstorms is expected Friday across parts of the Washington, D.C., region as wet weather continues into the weekend.
The East Coast heat dome: What to expect and why it’s dangerous
The FOX 5 Weather Team is becoming increasingly confident that a massive "heat dome" will expand across the eastern half of the United States next week.
The FOX 5 Weather Team is becoming increasingly confident that a massive "heat dome" will expand across the eastern half of the United States next week.
DC weather forecast: Humid weekend storms ahead of July 4th heat wave
Storms move through the DMV on Friday and Saturday, followed by a clearer Sunday. Then next week, a massive heat wave is expected to grip the D.C. area, with holiday temperatures near 100 degrees.
Storms move through the DMV on Friday and Saturday, followed by a clearer Sunday. Then next week, a massive heat wave is expected to grip the D.C. area, with holiday temperatures near 100 degrees.
DC weather: Mostly sunny Thursday with highs in the upper 80s
Mostly sunny Thursday across the Washington, D.C. region, with highs in the upper 80s.
Mostly sunny Thursday across the Washington, D.C. region, with highs in the upper 80s.
DC weather: Sunny with highs near 81 degrees
Sunny conditions with highs near 81degrees across the Washington, D.C. region on Wednesday.
Sunny conditions with highs near 81degrees across the Washington, D.C. region on Wednesday.
DC weather: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm Tuesday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm Tuesday as the Washington, D.C. region cleans up from a round of severe weather that swept through the area Monday night.
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm Tuesday as the Washington, D.C. region cleans up from a round of severe weather that swept through the area Monday night.
DC weather: Showers, possible thunderstorms Tuesday
Another round of showers, and possibly a thunderstorm, expected across the Washington, D.C., region Tuesday.
Another round of showers, and possibly a thunderstorm, expected across the Washington, D.C., region Tuesday.
DC region catches a breather tomorrow before next wave of rain hits
After one of the busiest, most violent severe weather days of the year, the D.C. area is moving into a calmer "in-between" period. While today's storms triggered widespread wind damage and multiple tornado warnings south and east of I-95, a cooler air mass has moved in to eat up the atmospheric energy.
After one of the busiest, most violent severe weather days of the year, the D.C. area is moving into a calmer "in-between" period. While today's storms triggered widespread wind damage and multiple tornado warnings south and east of I-95, a cooler air mass has moved in to eat up the atmospheric energy.