DC fireworks tonight faced a weather squeeze as Washington, D.C. hit 100 degrees on the Fourth of July and the National Weather Service issued Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for large parts of Virginia and Maryland. An Extreme Heat Warning stayed in effect through 9 p.m., while evening fireworks were still on the schedule.
Tucker Barnes of FOX 5 said heat index values could reach 110 to 115, a range that can make the air feel far hotter than the thermometer reading. Washington, D.C. tied its record high for the Fourth of July at 100 degrees, and the heat was strong enough for organizers to cancel the National Independence Day Parade.
National Mall and Fourth of July
Organizers also delayed public entry for the Salute to America program on the National Mall until 5 p.m. FOX 5 said it would continue Fourth of July coverage on FOX Local, giving viewers a way to track the evening as conditions changed.
The weather setup was not simple. Most storms were expected to move out in time for evening fireworks, but thunderstorms could still develop quickly and bring lightning and brief heavy rain, so outdoor crowds had to watch both the heat and the radar.
Virginia and Maryland warnings
The National Weather Service issued Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for Baltimore City and parts of Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Howard counties until 7 p.m. Parts of Stafford, Prince William and King George counties were under Severe Thunderstorm Warnings until 6:30 p.m.
The entire Washington, D.C. region was under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 10 p.m., keeping the broader region under alert even after the first warnings expired. For people planning to stay out for fireworks, that meant the evening could still change fast, even after the worst heat eased.
Which fireworks displays, if any, were delayed or changed by the weather remained unclear from the available information.
