The Washington region is preparing for an extended period of scorching heat, with temperatures expected to soar to intense, record-challenging levels. According to weather models, the next two weeks could see most days reaching or surpassing 90 degrees, with some even flirting with the 100-degree mark.

Friday through Sunday is predicted to be the hottest stretch, with daytime temperatures nearing the century mark and nighttime lows barely falling below 80 in the city. These temperatures are significantly higher than the average for this time of year, with a deviation of 10 to 15 degrees.

Accompanying this heat wave will be clear and sunny skies, with little to no rain in sight. This lack of rainfall raises concerns about the return of drought conditions in the region.

While humidity will be moderate at the start of the week, it is expected to increase as temperatures rise. This could result in heat index values reaching near 105 degrees by Friday, making the heat feel even more unbearable.

Monday marked the beginning of what could be a prolonged heat wave, as temperatures reached or exceeded 90 degrees. A heat wave is defined as a period lasting at least three days with highs of 90 or higher. In the Washington region, where hitting 90 degrees is common during midsummer, some argue for a higher threshold.

The intensity of the heat wave is expected to gradually escalate, with models projecting highs between 95 and 103 degrees from Friday to Sunday. However, the accuracy of these longer-term predictions has been questioned in recent weeks, so reaching the triple-digit range is not guaranteed. If Washington manages to hit 100 degrees, it will be the first instance since 2016, when it happened four times.

Starting from Tuesday, numerous heat records could be broken across the Ohio Valley, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions. While the Washington region may not reach record highs before Friday to Sunday, Dulles Airport has a higher chance of challenging record highs on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The heat wave also brings the possibility of setting record-warm lows, as nighttime temperatures rise throughout the week. This weekend, lows may only dip into the mid-70s to around 80 degrees.

With the forecast indicating highs of at least 90 degrees continuing into next week, this heat wave has the potential to become noteworthy for its longevity. A typical summer usually experiences a streak of eight or nine consecutive days at or above 90 degrees, but this week's streak could surpass that if the model forecasts are accurate. The longest recorded streak of days at 90 degrees or above in the region is 21, set in 1980 and 1988.

Moreover, there is a possibility of a significant streak of days at 95 degrees or higher later this week and into next week. In an average year, such a streak lasts around three or four days, but the current stretch has the potential to match or surpass that. The longest streak ever recorded, lasting 12 days, occurred in June and July of 2012.

Aside from the scorching temperatures, the extended period of intense sunshine near the summer solstice and the lack of rainfall raise concerns about drought conditions. Despite some heavy thunderstorms in May and early June, the region has experienced drier-than-normal conditions, with April also being dry. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, "abnormally dry" conditions have returned to many parts of the region, following the winter's cessation of last year's drought.

The combination of lower-than-usual soil moisture and a powerful heat wave near the summer solstice can lead to desiccated vegetation, further exacerbating the drought concerns.

Although there is currently no rain in the forecast until late this weekend or early next week, it is challenging to predict the timing and location of thunderstorms triggered by atmospheric disturbances. However, long-range forecasts indicate a continued pattern of drier and hotter-than-normal weather into July.

As the Washington region braces itself, residents are advised to take necessary precautions, including staying hydrated, seeking shade, and limiting outdoor activities during the peak heat hours.