On this date in 1918, D.C. was in the midst of one of its most intense hot spells on record. Between Aug. 5 and 9, the average high was 99.6, including the all-time record high of 106 on Aug. 6. The dew point temperature, a measure of humidity, reached 82 on Aug. 8, among the highest ever recorded.
And on this date in 1942, a calendar-day record 4.03 inches rain fell, “submerging highways under 4 feet of water in some sections, washing out bridges and flooding cellars,” the front page of The Washington Post reported.
And on this date in 2007, the temperature soared to calendar-day record high of 102, after a record-warm morning low of 80. The scorching day marked the apex of an 11-day streak from July 31 to Aug. 10 with highs of 90 or higher.
“While a dangerous heat wave hanging over the East Coast generated severe storms that delayed flights, flooded New York City subways and spawned a rare tornado in Brooklyn, Washington area residents languished yesterday in oppressive heat and humidity,” The Post reported the next day.
Here are other notables from this day:
- Average high: 89
- Average low: 72
- Record high: 102 (2007)
- Record low: 54 (1903)
- Record rainfall: 4.03 inches (1942)
