Washington's Second Consecutive Top-3 Hottest June

July 1 Update: The preliminary National Weather Service monthly climate data report confirms the Washington June average temperature of 78.8°, tied for third hottest.

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Following last year's all-time hottest June, this month is closing out tied for third hottest in Washington, DC. Preliminary National Weather Service data analyzed by CapitalClimate indicates that the June 2011 average temperature of 78.8° is tied with 1943 as the third hottest June in temperature records which began 140 years ago in 1871. (Depending on rounding, the final figure may be 78.7°.)

Two out of the top 3 hottest Junes, and 3 of the top 6, have been in the last 4 years (2008, 2010, and 2011). Only 1 of the top 5 has occurred prior to 1981.

The high temperature for the month of 102° tied the all-time June temperature record. There were 10 days with temperatures of 90° or higher. Only 1 day failed to reach 80° (78° on the 14th).

Image (click to enlarge): June 2011 average temperature vs. 10 previous hottest Junes for Washington, DC; CapitalClimate chart from National Weather Service data, background image © Kevin Ambrose