Summer seems firmly established by now in D.C. as a scorching Saturday matched a simmering Friday with another afternoon of 98-degree heat. But the city could give thanks for small favors, as Saturday’s humidity seemed decidedly lower.
Washington, D.C
Another scorching day in D.C. as summer settles in
Yet by comparison with Friday, that figure could offer some small consolation. On Friday the National Weather Service calculated a maximum “feels-like” temperature of 108. Saturday, it appeared to reach only 103.
Saturday was a small landmark in the advance toward the fiery heart of summer. On Saturday, for the first time this year, the average daily high temperature in the District became 90 degrees.
That may signal that the most summerlike period of summer is now at hand. With Saturday, D.C. has embarked on a long run of July days with an average high temperature of 90 degrees.
Such days may be regarded as close to the thermal height of summer and the capital is now in it.
Yet, of course, summer days here, even well into July, need not be hours of unrelieved meteorological misery.
White clouds proceeded in proud array across the skies on Saturday, and from time to time, covered and even dimmed the sun, producing instant and noticeable cooling. Cloud shadows may be among the subtle comforts that exist even deep in July.
In addition, even if they cover only small patches of ground, and extend for only a few feet or yards, relatively cool and shady places of respite seem to exist in much of the metropolitan area.
On some older streets in the city, trees stand so tall that the leaves and branches of those on one side touch the leaves and branches on the other, several stories in the air. They form a kind of high-arched natural redoubt against the swelter of summer.
The tall oak tree on the east side of the street may touch the tall oak on the other, and to stand in their shadows, peering up at blue sky and white clouds through gaps in green leaves may mitigate much of the harshness of a 98 degree day.