weather

From Alert DC:

“The National Weather Service reports the temperature is 91 degrees with a heat index of 96 degrees. The Heat Emergency Plan has been activated. MPD, FEMS, and the Ward Outreach have been notified.

As temperatures rise, the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department and DC Water urge those in the District to beat the heat without tampering with fire hydrants. Unauthorized hydrant use can hamper firefighting, damage the water system and cause injury. It can also flood streets, creating traffic dangers and it can lower the water pressure for everyone on the block.

Residents and visitors in the District can keep cool by staying in shade or air conditioning and drinking plenty of water. When the temperature or heat index reaches 95, residents are encouraged to take extra precautions against the heat. If they do not live in an air-conditioned building, they may take refuge at a District swimming pool, cooling center, recreation facility, senior center or other air-conditioned building. More information, and locations, can be found at dc.gov or by calling 311.”

From a press release:

“Due to high temperatures forecasted through early next week, Pepco is sharing with its customers tips on keeping cool and ways to decrease energy usage.

In addition, Pepco has all of its resources available to respond in coordination with emergency management partners if any outages occur during this heat wave. One hundred fifty Pepco linemen, more than 250 contractors and 180 tree trimming personnel are assigned to the system and ready to respond, if needed. In preparation, crews have confirmed that additional poles, transformers, and cable are fully stocked and ready to deploy.

Here are a few ways in which all customers can make a difference and save energy: (more…)

A reader sends the big loss above from Allison and Arkansas NW.

Another reader sends the shot below from 2nd and D SE.

A reader send the shot above from 35th and Quebec St, NW:

“The uprooted section had to be at least ten feet long. Fortunately the house didn’t appear too damaged though I’m sure it is.”

Hail in Petworth

Hail in NE Hail from Phil

Geeeeeeeeeez this hail is about to break my damn window! Yall be safe in them streets! @PoPville #SWDC pic.twitter.com/IKQxmbI6y6

— iCan (@ianeyecan) July 20, 2016

Hail in SW

and then this

@PoPville outdoor drain at basement back door just pumping sewage up right now #petworth #rain #awesome #fun #yay pic.twitter.com/9njOPFaG97

— Ken O' (@kennethoregan) July 20, 2016

From Alert DC:

“NWS reports a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for the entire Washington Metropolitian Area, until 8 PM.”

Update:

“NWS has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the District, effective from now until 5:30 PM. Storms will be moving through the District shortly. Wind gusts of 60 MPH are possible. Please head indoors if possible. Take precautions if you must drive.”

Confirmed:

Photo by PoPville flickr user Victoria Pickering

From DPR:

“Today the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced, due to the District’s heat wave, DPR will extend the operating hours at select spray parks weekdays beginning Monday, July 18 until Friday, July 29, 2016. Select spray parks will operate from 10 am until 9 pm instead of 7 pm on weekdays.

A heat emergency is in effect for Washington, DC. Residents are urged to take precautions against the heat. Whilespray parks will be open for extended hours, DPR strongly encourages residents to seek relief in cool, indoor locations as there is an added risk from remaining outside in the heat. To find information on cooling centers, pools, spray parks and more information about heat emergencies please visit Heat Emergency Information

EXTENDED SPRAY PARK HOURS: (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Erin

From DPR:

“Today the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced, due to the District’s heat wave, DPR will extend the operating hours at select pools on Thursday, July 14 and Friday, July 15, 2016. Select outdoor pools will operate from 11 am until 9 pm instead of 8 pm. Indoor pools will operate on their normal schedule.

A heat emergency is in effect for Washington, DC. Residents are urged to take precautions against the heat. While pools will be open for extended hours, DPR strongly encourages residents to seek relief in cool, indoor locations as there is an added risk from remaining outside in the heat. To find information on cooling centers, pools, spray parks and more information about heat emergencies please visit Heat Emergency Information

EXTENDED POOL HOURS UNTIL 9PM Thursday, July 14, 2016 and Friday, July 15, 2016:

*Banneker Pool – 2500 Georgia Ave., NW/ Ward 1 – (202) 673-2121
Francis Pool – 2435 N St., NW/ Ward 2 – (202) 727-3285
Upshur Pool – 4300 Arkansas Ave., NW/ Ward 4 – (202) 576-8661
Harry Thomas Sr. Pool – 1743 Lincoln Rd., NE/ Ward 5- (202) 541-7499
Theodore Hagans Pool – 3201 Fort Lincoln Dr., NE/ Ward 5 – (202) 576-6389
Randall Pool – 25 I St., SW/ Ward 6 – (202) 727-1420
Oxon Run Pool – 501 Mississippi Ave., SE/ Ward 8 – (202) 645-5042

*Banneker Pool is closed on Thursdays. Extended hours for Banneker are for Friday, July 15, 2016 only.”

From DPW:

“The District’s 90°+ heat wave continues through this week; therefore, the DC Department of Public Works trash and recycling crews will begin their collections an hour earlier, at 6 am between Monday, July 11 through Friday, July 15.

To make sure trash and recycling are out for pick-up at the earlier time, DPW’s customers can put their items out starting at 6:30 pm the day before their collections are to be made. Trash and recycling containers should be removed from public space by 8 pm on the collection day or a sanitation citation may be issued.

Throughout the summer, when the temperature is predicted to be 90˚ or higher or the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments announces unhealthy air quality (Code Orange or Code Red days), DPW collection crews will begin their work at 6 am to avoid health or environmental issues.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user brunofish

From Alert DC:

“he National Weather Service reports the temperature is 92 degrees. Heat index values are expected to reach 96 degrees. The Heat Emergency Plan will be activated Today at 1:00 pm. As temperatures rise, the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department and DC Water urge those in the District to beat the heat without tampering with fire hydrants. Unauthorized hydrant use can hamper firefighting, damage the water system and cause injury. It can also flood streets, creating traffic dangers and it can lower the water pressure for everyone on the block.

Today’s Forecast: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight’s Forecast: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Note: While the most dangerous heat is expected Friday, it will be hot and humid today through Saturday. Heat index will be in the mid 90s to near 100 each afternoon. Peak Heat Index Values (“feels like”): 100-105+ degrees.”

and

“The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in Association with Maryland Department of Environment, Virginia Department of Environment Quality, and District Department of Environment has issued a code ORANGE Air Quality Alert Wednesday for the DC Metro area.

A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that Air Pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children/people suffering from asthma, heart disease, or other lung disease and the elderly. The effects of Air Pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Joseph Gruber

From Alert DC:

“The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the District of Columbia and all suburbs, effective until 10:00 PM.

A storm line that is currently in Loudoun County will be passing through the DC Metro area from northwest to southeast over the next hour. These storms may or may not become severe.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Nathan Stewart

From Alert DC:

“THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDER STORM WATCH FOR WASHINGTON, DC UNTIL 9:00 PM update: NWS issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the District of Columbia until 3:15 PM . ISOLATED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH DAMAGING WINDS AND LARGE HAIL WILL BE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. PLEASE USE CAUTION AND TAKE SHELTER AS NEEDED.”