A child cools off at Yards Park in Southeast Washington in 2024. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post) By Jason Samenow and Matt Ross

The D.C. area is accustomed to punishing summer heat and humidity. But this year, we expect that combination to be particularly oppressive and on par with some of our steamiest summers on record.

The heat may come as a shock considering how cool late May has been. Every day since May 20 has been chillier than normal.

But the cool weather pattern will flip to a toasty one not long after June begins. By Thursday or Friday next week, we have a strong chance to post our first 90-degree day of the year — one of dozens we expect into the fall.

Our prediction for a hot summer is in keeping with the long-term trend toward higher summer temperatures fueled by h

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