Fairfax County will get an early taste of summer over the next couple of days, with temperatures expected to climb into the low to mid-90s.
While the D.C. region is no stranger to those temperatures, it would set records for this time of the year, the county government said on its emergency blog, urging residents to “take heat safety seriously” today and tomorrow (Thursday).
The National Weather Service has placed Fairfax County under a Moderate Heat Risk due to a “hot air mass” that’s settling over the region and expected to linger through the weekend.
Mostly sunny, hot, and dry today with high temperatures around 90 or low 90s. #DCwx #MDwx #VAwx #WVwx pic.twitter.com/X72YSLi7j8
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 15, 2026
The NWS measures heat risk on a five-point scale that ranges from zero to extreme. A moderate risk means certain sensitive groups, including adults 65 and older, infants and young children, outdoor workers and those with chronic health conditions, face a higher chance of experiencing heat-related illness.
“Heat index values are forecast in the low 90s, very close to the air temperature,” the county said. “While humidity will not be a major factor during this event, the heat itself is the concern. These temperatures are more typical of late June or July, not mid-April.”
The forecasted temperatures would set new records for this date at both Dulles International Airport — where the current high for April 15 was 87 degrees, set in 1967 — and Reagan National Airport, which hit a high of 89 degrees in 1941.
Highs in the low 90s most spots could tie or break record highs for the date of 89 at National and 87 at Dulles.Tomorrow, highs in upper 80s to low 90s could threaten records again.Less hot Friday but still very warm. The heat hangs on Saturday before a cooler SundayFull forecast at cwg.live
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather.bsky.social) 2026-04-15T10:10:01.867Z
According to the NWS, Fairfax County is expected to reach a high of 91 today and 92 tomorrow. That won’t be high enough to trigger the cooling resources in the county’s heat plan, which is activated when heat index values reach at least 105 degrees and the weather service issues an advisory, watch or warning.
However, the county does have a Cooling Assistance Program that helps eligible residents pay for electric bills and air conditioning repairs, and a Senior Cool Care Program that provides fans to low-income adults age 60 and older.
More from Fairfax County on how to stay safe during the current heat:
The most effective way to avoid heat-related illness is to limit your time outdoors, especially during the hottest hours of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Here are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family:
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can speed up dehydration.
Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. A hat and sunscreen are also a good idea if you need to be outside.
Limit outdoor activity. If you exercise or work outdoors, try to do so in the early morning or evening when temperatures are lower. Take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors.
Stay cool indoors. If your home does not have air conditioning, consider spending time at a library, community center, recreation center or shopping mall during the day. Fairfax County designates many of its public facilities as cooling centers during heat events.
Check on others. Look in on elderly neighbors, family members and anyone who may not have access to air conditioning. Heat-related illness can come on quickly, especially for older adults and young children.
Never leave children or pets in a vehicle. Temperatures inside a parked car can rise to deadly levels in minutes, even with the windows cracked.
Know the Warning Signs
Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea and muscle cramps. If you notice these symptoms, move to a cool place, drink water and rest.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Symptoms include a body temperature above 103 degrees, confusion, loss of consciousness and hot, dry skin. If someone shows signs of heat stroke, call 911 right away.
Heat wave could extend across eastern U.S.
The D.C. region isn’t the only place affected by the April heat wave, which could turn much of the eastern U.S. into a furnace for several days.
“That’s borderline unprecedented as far as the duration of it this time of year,” said John Feerick, senior meteorologist at the forecasting firm AccuWeather.com.
Feerick said that starting Wednesday “we’re going to have records challenged from basically Georgia all the way up through the New York City area and back towards the Ohio Valley.”
The early-season heat can be more stressful on people’s bodies since they haven’t had a chance to acclimate.
“It’s kind of one of those things where it’s a little more stressful to the body because you’re not used to it the first time around,” Feerick said.
Heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer in the U.S., the weather service warns. Infants and young children; older adults, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to heat-related injuries and death.
A strong ridge of high pressure fueling moisture into the southern plains was responsible for bringing the unusual heat to the eastern U.S., the weather service said.
Though Wednesday is a day when many records could fall, the heat wave will continue through Friday in many areas, forecasters said.
“Widespread lower to even middle 90s are expected Friday across the lower elevations of the Carolinas, which could set additional daily records and perhaps come close to some monthly records,” the agency’s Weather Prediction Center wrote in a memo.
The heat wave should finally be breaking down by Sunday as a strong cold front moves toward the Eastern Seaboard, and then it should be “pleasantly cooler” by Monday with the front heading out to sea, the weather service said.
