Sunday started another heat wave in Central Virginia with a high of 96 degrees, but highs through Thursday should hover around 100 degrees as a result of a broad, strong high pressure system parked over the Eastern U.S. This means much of the densely populated Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern cities on the East Coast are also in the grips of the heat wave with high temperatures around 100 degrees from D.C. to Philly to NYC. Richmond International Airport has already recorded three 100-degree-days in June, all of which reached 102 degrees. We could top that number by Wednesday with an expected high temperature of 103.
Year with most 100 degree days: 1954 had 9
Average number of 100 degree days in a year: 1
2010 to date: 3
We could potentially add four more 100-degree-days this week if we hit 100 degrees Monday through Thursday. This would put our tally at seven, just two shy of the record for the most 100-degree-days in a single year!
Record Highs to Beat This Week:
July 5: 101 (1990)
July 6: 105 (1977)
July 7: 103 (1977)
July 8: 102 (1993)
Hottest Richmond temperature on record: 107 degrees (August 6, 1918)
Average number of 90-degree-days in a year: 40
2010 to date (through Sunday, July 4): 27
We just had the hottest Spring on record followed by the hottest June on record. Could we continue on track for the hottest Summer overall? Be safe in the heat this week!
