A heat dome affecting much of the United States has turned the nation’s capital into one of the hottest places on earth as Americans gather to celebrate the Semiquincentennial.
On Friday, only the Sahara Desert, China’s Gobi Desert, parts of the Middle East, and parts of America’s Desert Southwest will reach higher temperatures than America’s capital, Washington Post meteorologist Ben Noll reported. Temperatures in D.C. are expected to reach 102 degrees, with the heat index potentially hitting a blistering 110.
D.C. will be hotter than 99 percent of the planet on Friday.
Only parts of Africa’s Sahara Desert, the Middle East, China’s Gobi Desert and a few spots in the Desert Southwest will be hotter. pic.twitter.com/GGedfFhpr4
— Ben Noll (@BenNollWeather) July 2, 2026
The Great American State Fair on the National Mall temporarily closed Friday afternoon due to the extreme heat. The fair is expected to reopen at 5:00 p.m. ET.
“The safety and well-being of our guests, volunteers, performers, vendors, and staff is our highest priority,” Freedom 250 said. “Conditions are expected to improve later this afternoon, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back at 5:00 p.m. as preparations continue for this evening’s festivities.”
The major heat has also resulted in some parade cancellations on the East Coast on Friday, including the massive Philadelphia Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade. Parade organizers in Philadelphia said they made the decision to call off Friday’s parade for the safety of participants and would-be parade watchers, CBS News reported.
The historic town of Leesburg, Virginia, also canceled its parade planned for Saturday and moved its concert and fireworks show back one hour.
The heat wave will continue in D.C. on Saturday during the Fourth of July celebrations, with temperatures expected to reach 99 degrees and the heat index rising to 113. A potential afternoon thunderstorm could also throw a wrench in the celebrations, according to AccuWeather.
“Dangerous heat [and] storms that can bring damaging winds and downpours may disrupt outdoor holiday plans,” AccuWeather noted.
The heat wave is not stopping President Donald Trump’s massive celebrations, however, as numerous events on the National Mall scheduled for Friday and Saturday are still moving forward. Americans who brave the high temps get to take in hours of military flyovers for Trump’s “Salute to America 250” celebration, The Daily Wire reported. The flyovers feature historic and modern aircraft from every branch of the military.
The “Salute to America” live programming will begin on the Washington Monument grounds at 7:00 p.m. ET, and President Trump will deliver his address at 9:45 p.m. before the “World’s Largest Fireworks Display.”
D.C.’s annual “A Capitol Fourth” concert is also moving forward on Friday night, but entry into the event will be delayed until 7:00 p.m., just one hour before the start time.
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