DC Reaches Average of 40 Days Above 90°F, More Heat Expected
Washington, D.C. has reached its seasonal average of 40 days with temperatures at or above 90°F (32.2°C) as of August 10, 2026, according to the National Weather Service (Capital Weather). This milestone comes during the city’s sixth heat wave of the year, with the average last 90°F day typically occurring in mid-September. The record for the most 90°F days by this point in the season is 50, set in 2010, which also holds the record for the most 90°F days in a year at 67. Last year, D.C. experienced 36 such days. With about a month of summer heat remaining and an El Niño pattern contributing to global warmth, the city is on track to exceed 50 days of 90°F or higher, potentially placing 2026 among the top 20 hottest years on record. 
