It’s going to be stormy, sweltering Fourth of July in Arlington and the D.C. area.
Amid an ongoing heat wave, strong storms are expected to form later today, potentially packing hail and damaging wind gusts up to 75 mph. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was just issued and will be in effect until 10 p.m.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia until 10 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/T6yPwuQqi6
— Virginia Department of Emergency Management (@VDEM) July 4, 2026
This July 4th holiday will be hot and humid with triple digit heat indices expected. Unlike previous days, showers & thunderstorms are likely this afternoon & evening. Some of these may become severe in nature, with a few producing destructive wind gusts. #MDwx #VAwx #DCwx #WVwx pic.twitter.com/mGNxwTrRLC
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) July 4, 2026
An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect for the second day in a row, until 9 p.m. tonight. Heat index values above 110 are expected during the afternoon, potentially disrupting outdoor Independence Day plans.
More, below, from the National Weather Service.
…EXTREME HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING…
* WHAT…Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values of 110 to 115.
* WHERE…Washington DC, and portions of central, north central, northeast, northern, and southern Maryland, and central, northern, and northwest Virginia.
* WHEN…Until 9 PM EDT this evening.
* IMPACTS…Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Prolonged excessive heat may impact power, water, and transportation systems. Heat index values around 100 to 105 are possible again Sunday afternoon.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.
Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Meanwhile, between the heat and tonight’s supersized D.C. fireworks display, “very unhealthy” air quality has been forecast by state authorities.
“The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Code PURPLE Air Quality Alert Saturday for Northern Virginia,” said an alert.
During Code Purple air quality levels, those who are sensitive to air pollution should avoid all physical activity outdoors, while everyone else is encouraged to “consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors,” according to the EPA.
