WASHINGTON, D.C. — Enjoy it while it lasts. Friday, October 2 is shaping up to be the last day of summer heat for the Mid-Atlantic, with afternoon temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 80s across much of Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. By 4 PM, Washington is forecast to reach 87 degrees, Baltimore 86 degrees and Charlottesville a toasty 88 degrees. But big changes are coming. A cold front stretching from Quebec to Texas is pushing east, with much cooler air waiting behind it and a redeveloping storm taking shape near the Gulf Coast.
Washington and Baltimore Near 90
The hottest temperatures on Friday are focused across central Maryland, the D.C. metro and central Virginia. Washington is forecast to hit 87 degrees, while Baltimore reaches about 86 degrees.
Nearby, Fredericksburg and Louisa are expected to reach 87 degrees, Waldorf 86, Centreville, Virginia 85 and Annapolis 84. For early October, these temperatures are roughly 10 to 15 degrees above normal.
Central Virginia Runs the Hottest
Charlottesville is forecast to be one of the hottest spots in the region at 88 degrees. Across the Shenandoah Valley and central Virginia, Luray and Orange reach 85 degrees, while Culpeper, Harrisonburg, Staunton and Front Royal sit near 84 degrees.
Maryland Suburbs and Western Maryland
North and west of Baltimore, temperatures stay in the low 80s. Frederick and Leesburg are forecast for 83 degrees, while Hagerstown, Westminster, Eldersburg, Bel Air and Edgewood are near 81 degrees.
In the mountains of western Maryland, it is much cooler. Cumberland is forecast for 77 degrees, while McHenry near Deep Creek Lake only reaches about 66 degrees.
Eastern Shore and Delaware
On the Eastern Shore, highs reach the low 80s, with Easton, Cambridge, Chestertown, Salisbury and Seaford near 83 degrees. In Delaware, Dover, Milford and Wilmington are forecast for 83 degrees…