D.C. Area Besieged By High Heat

Extreme temperatures are in the forecast for the D.C. area through Wednesday, and though they likely won't be record breaking, it'll still feel pretty hot out there. Temperatures topped out at 101 degrees, with the heat index pushing 102.

Wednesday's high is predicted at 98 degrees — 5 degrees short of the all-time high for July 18, according to NBC Washington meteorologist Tom Kierein. Thunderstorms passing through tomorrow evening are expected to bring the temperatures down to the 80s for the weekend. D.C. has already had 25 days this summer where the temperatures have topped 90 degrees, according to NBC —and some of those were during the massive power outages that resulted from strong summer storms June 29.

Health officials are offering the same advice they have been during the summer's other heat waves: wear light colored, loose fitting clothing, and use sunglasses and sunscreen if you must be outside. Those with breathing conditions should stay indoors if possible, as today will be a Code Orange air quality day. 

Once again, Metro lifted restrictions on bottled water in the transit system due to the heat. Even the trains themselves haven't escaped the heat, as trains were cautioned to travel more slowly along outdoor stretches of track for fear of a recurrence of "heat kinks."

Health officials are urging people to avoid exposure to the sun, especially during the worst part of the heat, between noon and 3 p.m., and to make sure to drink plenty of water.