Heat in Virginia, June 7 to 9, 1999

High pressure centered over the Southeast U.S. caused air to downslope over the Appalachian Mountains, sending afternoon temperatures into the upper 90s to lower 100s. The heat, in combination with very humid air, resulted in afternoon heat indices between 100 and 100 degrees. Record high temperatures were set at Washington Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport on the 7th and 8th. High temperatures on the 7th included 96 degrees at Dulles Airport, 98 degrees at National Airport, 95 degrees at Culpeper, 96 degrees at Locust Grove in Orange County, 94 degrees at Winchester, and 95 degrees at Woodstock in Shenandoah County. Highs on the 8th included 95 degrees at Dulles Airport, 98 degrees at National Airport, 102 degrees at Fredericksburg, 100 degrees at Fort Belvoir, and 98 degrees at Staunton. High temperatures on the 9th included 96 degrees at Dulles Airport, 98 degrees at National Airport, 99 degrees at Culpeper, Fredericksburg and Front Royal, 96 degrees at Locust Grove, 100 degrees at Sperryville in Rappahannock County, 97 degrees at Staunton, and 98 degrees at Winchester. Nighttime lows only dipped into the 70s, making the overnight hours very uncomfortable for those without air conditioning. As a result of the heat, a pollution alert was issued for the Washington D.C. metropolitan area on the 7th. Schools without air conditioning in the city of Warren, Prince William County, and the Virginia suburbs of D.C. cancelled classes or let out early on the 8th and 9th. The University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville reported treating 12 patients for heat related illnesses ranging from heat exhaustion and sunburn to two cases of heat stroke. The heat also put a strain on area resources. Several locations reported near record water and energy consumption during the period.