NBC4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer has released his 2026 Summer Heat Forecast, predicting a warm but manageable summer across the DMV, with humidity and rainfall expected to play a bigger role than extreme heat.
According to Kammerer, a developing strong El Niño pattern is expected to influence conditions this summer. While the region should still experience plenty of hot days, he says widespread extreme heat is unlikely. His forecast includes:
• A warm summer, but “not much extreme heat”
• No temperatures expected above 100 degrees
• More humid conditions
• Between 36 and 46 days reaching 90 degrees
Kammerer said strong El Niño summers typically bring increased moisture and storm activity to the region, which can help suppress the most intense heat while increasing humidity and rainfall potential.
The forecast could come as welcome news after several recent summers brought prolonged heat waves and triple-digit temperatures to parts of the region. Kammerer also noted the wetter pattern may help ease ongoing drought concerns in the area.
