Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia Face 90 to 96 Degree Heat Sunday May 17 Through Wednesday May 20 With Woodbridge and Fredericksburg Hitting 96 Degrees Monday
WASHINGTON, DC — Summer heat is returning fast to the Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia region, with the first 90-degree day of this next heat stretch possible as soon as Sunday, May 17, 2026. Monday, May 18 and Tuesday, May 19 could be real scorchers with widespread highs in the low to mid 90s across the entire region.
Washington DC first hit 90 degrees this year on April 15, more than a month ahead of the historical average first 90-degree day of May 18.
Monday May 18 High Temperature Forecast by City
The map tells the story of a region baking uniformly from the Shenandoah Valley to the Chesapeake Bay with very few communities escaping the 90s:
| City | High |
|---|---|
| Woodbridge, Virginia | 96 F |
| Fredericksburg, Virginia | 96 F |
| Fairfax, Virginia | 95 F |
| Manassas, Virginia | 95 F |
| Somervile, Virginia | 95 F |
| Ridge, Maryland | 95 F |
| Martinsburg, West Virginia | 95 F |
| Winchester, Virginia | 95 F |
| Front Royal, Virginia | 95 F |
| Washington DC | 94 F |
| Lanham, Maryland | 94 F |
| Paris, Virginia | 94 F |
| Waterloo, Virginia | 94 F |
| Culpeper, Virginia | 94 F |
| Madison, Virginia | 94 F |
| Sperryville, Virginia | 94 F |
| Frederick, Maryland | 93 F |
| Rockville, Maryland | 93 F |
| Columbia, Maryland | 93 F |
| Gambrills, Maryland | 93 F |
| La Plata, Maryland | 93 F |
| Charles Town, West Virginia | 93 F |
| The Plains, Virginia | 93 F |
| Ashburn, Virginia | 93 F |
| Damascus, Maryland | 91 F |
| Lincoln, Maryland | 92 F |
| Taylorstown, Virginia | 92 F |
| Baltimore, Maryland | 92 F |
| Hagerstown, Maryland | 92 F |
| Prince Frederick, Maryland | 92 F |
| Chaptico, Maryland | 91 F |
| Clinton, Maryland | 91 F |
| California, Maryland | 91 F |
| Cockeysville, Maryland | 91 F |
| Westminster, Maryland | 90 F |
| Thurmont, Maryland | 90 F |
| Parkton, Maryland | 90 F |
| Bel Air, Maryland | 90 F |
| Sykesville, Maryland | 90 F |
| Elkton, Maryland | 90 F |
| Chestertown, Maryland | 90 F |
| Unionville, Maryland | 90 F |
| Annapolis, Maryland | 88 F |
| Deale, Maryland | 88 F |
| Cambridge, Maryland | 88 F |
| Vienna, Maryland | 88 F |
| Goldsboro, Maryland | 89 F |
| Wesley, Maryland | 89 F |
The Bigger Picture
Monday and Tuesday are shaping up as the peak heat days with widespread low to mid 90s across DC, Maryland and Virginia. Wednesday looks similar as a cold front approaches but has not yet arrived to provide relief.
The historical context makes this stretch notable. DC’s average first 90-degree day is May 18 and the average first 95-degree day does not typically arrive until June 18. With Woodbridge and Fredericksburg both forecast at 96 degrees on Monday, May 18 alone, this heat stretch is arriving well ahead of schedule and with intensity typically reserved for mid-summer.
Heat Safety Monday Through Wednesday
The combination of temperatures in the 90s to 96 F range and high humidity across the region creates dangerous heat conditions for vulnerable populations:
Limit outdoor activity between noon and 6:00 PM Monday through Wednesday across Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. Check on elderly neighbors and anyone without air conditioning daily through at least Wednesday, May 20. Never leave children or pets in parked vehicles under any circumstances during this heat stretch as interior car temperatures can exceed 130 F within minutes when outdoor temps are in the 90s.
WaldronNews.com will continue tracking this heat stretch across Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia including Woodbridge, Fredericksburg, Fairfax and Baltimore and will provide updates as peak temperatures and cold front timing develop through Wednesday, May 20.