The heat in Washington — which went into overdrive in mid-June — is becoming insufferable.
Washington, D.C
It’s a brutally hot summer in D.C., and there’s little sign of relief
Wednesday is forecast to reach the upper 90s again, and heat alerts are in effect for the third-straight day.
The nights, meanwhile, have been sultry. We’ve already posted several instances of lows of 80 degrees or higher this summer after a five-year pause. Before the year 2000, nights this warm were exceptionally rare.
The hot days and steamy nights add up to the second-hottest start to the summer on record.
While there might be a break in the heat Friday, it won’t last. The hot weather pattern probably resumes over the weekend and intensifies next week.
According to the Climate Shift Index from Climate Central, a science communications firm, human-caused climate change has made the recent heat in the D.C. area twice as probable.
The second-warmest summer on record so far
Using the meteorological definition, summer began June 1. The current average temperature of 80.5 degrees since then trails only 2010’s 80.8 degrees among the hottest years as of this date. Rounding out the top five are 1994 (80.1), 2011 (79.4) and 2012 (78.9).
Since Jan. 1, this is also the second-warmest year on record to date with an average temperature of 58.7 degrees, trailing only 2012’s 59.3 degrees (that year went on to become the hottest on record). The United States is also having its second-warmest year on record so far.
Since we turned on the heat in mid-June, abnormally hot afternoon highs have been the norm. The average since June 1 of 90 degrees ranks as the third highest on record to date, behind 2010 (90.4) and 1994 (90.6).
The 22 days with highs reaching at least 90 is eight ahead of the norm to date. Typically, it’s not until late July that we’ve seen this many 90 degree days. Last year, as of this date we only had 10 such days.
In addition to all of the 90 degree days, we’ve racked up nine with a high of at least 97 degrees, including the first 100 degree day since 2016. To date, the count is behind only 1991, which had nine, and 2012 at 12.
We’ve now had five days in a row with highs of at least 97 and will probably bring the streak to six days Wednesday — tying for the second longest on record, trailing only the tally of seven in 1953.
Low temperatures so far this summer rank as the second hottest on record to date. The average low of 71 degrees is only slightly cooler than 2010’s 71.2 degrees — which had the warmest nights to date.
We’ve already logged four nights with lows at or above 80 degrees, with three coming between Saturday and Monday. We’ll probably add another Wednesday, which would bring the total to five. The most lows of 80 or higher on record in a year is seven, last done in 2016.
The current heat wave, which began July 4, will probably end Friday. That’s when clouds and some tropical moisture pulled north by Hurricane Beryl’s remnants will briefly overtake the area, lowering temperatures somewhat (but not humidity). The chance of rain — much-needed because of growing drought conditions — should keep highs below 90, although the forecast could still shift drier and hotter.
Beyond that, highs at or above 90 will probably return for at least the next two weeks. With average highs of 90 until July 27, hot weather is expected. But computer models project that temperatures have a good chance to rise above the norm, well into the 90s to near 100 at times.
Jason Samenow contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (7News) — An early Wednesday morning incident at D.C.’s Metro Center left multiple riders injured after a work vehicle made contact with a Silver Line train just before the end of service.
According to Metro officials, the train was holding at the station when the work vehicle struck the rear car shortly after midnight. Officials said there were 27 customers on board at the time.
Officials say 11 people reported non-life-threatening injuries and that Metro personnel were not seriously injured.
SEE ALSO | Metro’s board to vote on budget that calls for fully automated trains on the Red Line
Passengers who did not report injuries were transferred to another train and continued toward Downtown Largo.
The train involved was the final Silver Line run of the night.
Metro said the incident remains under investigation as crews work to determine the cause.
As of 3:30 a.m., it’s not clear what the potential impacts to the morning service may be.
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Problem Solved
Earning enough to be considered middle class has gotten more expensive, with rising housing and everyday costs pushing the income bar higher, according to a recent report from GOBankingRates.
The median range for middle-class income across the country is between $59,000 and $104,000 in 2026, depending on which state you live in. GOBanking Rates used Pew Research Center’s definition of middle class — income ranging from two-thirds to twice a state’s median household income — and added data from the U.S. Census Bureau to report lowest middle-income, highest middle-class income and median income for each state, including Maryland and Virginia, and Washington D.C.
The current national middle-class minimum of $59,000 would have declared you middle class a decade ago in the U.S. In 2016, earning $39,000 placed a household at the lower edge of the middle class — and in regions like DC, MD and VA, median incomes were already far higher than the national median, so the “middle-class floor” was much higher than $39,000 even then.
In the DC region, the income required to be considered middle class is significantly higher than nationally, with the threshold starting around $61,000 in Virginia and nearly $69,000 in Maryland — compared with about $47,000 nationwide, GOBankingRates data shows. To be considered middle class in Washington DC, you’d have to earn at least $70,200. GoBankingRates omitted DC from their report; however, using the same formula and same US Census data cited, USA TODAY Network was able to calculate the low, high and median middle class income ranges. Here’s what the report shows and what we found for middle-class consideration in 2026.
What is middle class in Washington DC?
The middle class is a socioeconomic group in the U.S. that falls between the working class and upper class, earning around the middle of the income distribution for where they live. Middle class households often are able to cover their bills, rely on loans to buy homes or cars, and occasionally eat out or vacation, but not without careful budgeting, according to Investopedia.
Washington DC’s middle-class income in 2024 (the most recent year available from Census data) was between $70,200 and $209,600. GoBankingRates omitted DC middle-class data; however, USA TODAY Network used the same calculation, using the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) and the Pew Research Center’s benchmark definition of middle class. Here is the breakdown for middle-class in Washington DC:
- Median household income: $104,800
- Lowest end of middle-class income: $70,200
- Highest end of middle-class income: $209,600
Due to the region’s high cost of living, Washington DC’s middle-class median income surpasses not only the U.S. median, but it’s neighbors in Delaware, Virginia and Maryland. It also slightly surpasses the median middle-class income of New Jersey.
What is middle class in Virginia?
In Virginia, the income needed to be considered middle class starts at about $61,400 and can range up to roughly $184,200, according to GOBankingRates. That is based on Pew Research Center’s definition — two-thirds to twice the median household income. Here’s the breakdown of Virginia’s middle-class income as reported in 2026 using the latest Census data available from 2024:
- Median household income: $92,090
- Lowest end of middle-class income: $61,393
- Highest end of middle-class income: $184,180
What is middle class in Maryland?
To be considered middle-class in Maryland, the income required starts at about $68,600 and can extend up to roughly $205,800, according to GOBankingRates, which used the latest 2024 U.S. Census Bureau data available in their 2026 report.
For many Maryland households, especially in the DC suburbs, earning what sounds like a solid income does not always translate into financial comfort once housing, childcare and community costs are factored in: Maryland housing costs (rent and home prices) are well above national averages, according to Zillow market trends, and commuting costs for DC-area workers are among the longest and costliest, Census data shows. Maryland also consistently ranks among the most expensive states for childcare, often surpassing $15,000 per year per child, according to a Care.com 2024 Cost of Care report.
Highest middle-class incomes in the US
- Massachusetts income range: $69,885 to $209,656
- Maryland income range: $68,603 to $205,810
- New Jersey income range: $69,529 to $208,588
- Hawaii income range: $67,163 to $201,490
- California income range: $66,766 to $200,298
- New Hampshire income range: $66,521 to $199,564
- Washington income range: $66,259 to $198,778
- Colorado income range: $64,742 to $194,226
- Connecticut income range: $64,033 to $192,098
- Virginia income range: $61,393 to $184,180
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based news reporter covering trending news with USA TODAY Network’s Mid-Atlantic Connect Team. She covers news in the Northeast, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Reach her at LComstock@usatodayco.com.
Washington, D.C
US industry leaders take sport fishing issues to Washington DC – Angling International
The impact of tariffs on the US fishing tackle industry and the need for sound fisheries management were among the topics discussed by attendees of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA)’s first ever Keep America Fishing in DC Fly-In.
It included industry leaders who last week joined together in Washington DC and all walked hundreds of miles across the US Capital Complex to advocate for the interests of the US trade and the entire recreational fishing community.
The group also enjoyed conversations with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Director, Dr Neil Jacobs, Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Brian Nesvik, Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Representative Blake Moore (R-UT).
ASA President and CEO, Glenn Hughes, said: “We look forward to continuing the conversation with legislators throughout the rest of this Congress and to an even bigger Keep America Fishing Fly-In in 2027.”
Above: From left: ASA President Glenn Hughes and Vice President of Government Affairs, Mike Leonard, with Senator Martin Heinrich (centre).
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