July got warmer in D.C. on Tuesday but stayed below 90
2024-07-02T22:01:32.928ZOn Tuesday, the weather in D.C. nudged closer to 90 degrees, but it stopped short. With humidity still in exile, the day formed part of a surprisingly enjoyable introduction to the frequently fiery month of July.After June concluded with 13 of its last 14 days above 90 degrees, any July day with a reading no higher than the 80s seemed likely to receive a grateful welcome.Tuesday, the month’s second day, had a high of 88, which seemed warm enough to fulfill reasonable expectations of a summer day in the capital. The reading was one degree below the 89-degree average high for July 2 in Washington.The warmth left little doubt about the identity of the current season. It was clearly summer, with summertime heat and long hours of summertime sunshine.But Tuesday departed a bit from the standard image of a July day in the District, in that the second major component of summer seemed absent. Tuesday, though warm, could scarcely be regarded as steamy or sticky or sultry or tropical in its humidity.In a welcome deviation from typical trends, the heat index, often regarded as a feels-like temperature, indicated that Washington actually felt a little cooler than the thermometer reading.That can be interpreted as a welcome numerical confirmation that humidity is down, and that, correspondingly the sensation of comfort is up. Supporting such observations were the day’s dew points.These fell well below the thermometer reading, 30 degrees below at many afternoon hours, so far below as to be almost alien to the concept of July in D.C.If any to-do was created by Tuesday’s dew points, it might have focused on how much could be done when humidity did not produce instant and enduring perspiration.Many clouds did populate the Tuesday skies, their numbers swelling or contracting as the warm hours passed. Often appearing snowy white amid the blue of the sky, they formed a constantly changing atmospheric geography, creating imaginary islands, countries and continents.On a pleasant afternoon, in a holiday week and a vacation season, they seemed well shaped and suited to the cultural role often assigned them whether in the District or elsewhere, as subjects for summer dreams and lazy contemplation.
admin
On Tuesday, the weather in D.C. nudged closer to 90 degrees, but it stopped short. With humidity still in exile, the day formed part of a surprisingly enjoyable introduction to the frequently fiery month of July.
After June concluded with 13 of its last 14 days above 90 degrees, any July day with a reading no higher than the 80s seemed likely to receive a grateful welcome.
Tuesday, the month’s second day, had a high of 88, which seemed warm enough to fulfill reasonable expectations of a summer day in the capital. The reading was one degree below the 89-degree average high for July 2 in Washington.
The warmth left little doubt about the identity of the current season. It was clearly summer, with summertime heat and long hours of summertime sunshine.
But Tuesday departed a bit from the standard image of a July day in the District, in that the second major component of summer seemed absent. Tuesday, though warm, could scarcely be regarded as steamy or sticky or sultry or tropical in its humidity.
In a welcome deviation from typical trends, the heat index, often regarded as a feels-like temperature, indicated that Washington actually felt a little cooler than the thermometer reading.
That can be interpreted as a welcome numerical confirmation that humidity is down, and that, correspondingly the sensation of comfort is up. Supporting such observations were the day’s dew points.
These fell well below the thermometer reading, 30 degrees below at many afternoon hours, so far below as to be almost alien to the concept of July in D.C.
If any to-do was created by Tuesday’s dew points, it might have focused on how much could be done when humidity did not produce instant and enduring perspiration.
Many clouds did populate the Tuesday skies, their numbers swelling or contracting as the warm hours passed. Often appearing snowy white amid the blue of the sky, they formed a constantly changing atmospheric geography, creating imaginary islands, countries and continents.
On a pleasant afternoon, in a holiday week and a vacation season, they seemed well shaped and suited to the cultural role often assigned them whether in the District or elsewhere, as subjects for summer dreams and lazy contemplation.
