October is typically a time to pull out sweaters and watch the leaves change colors.
While your calendar may say Oct. 2, Wednesday is the hottest October day in D.C.-area history, according to the National Weather Service.
The high reached 98 degrees at Reagan National Airport at 3:06 p.m. The previous record was 96 degrees Oct. 5, 1941.
“Temperatures this afternoon will run 20-25°F above normal, making it feel more like July than early October,” the National Weather Service twitter said.
By noon, all three airports reached or broke their highest record temperatures.
At 3:59 p.m., the temperature at Dulles International Airport reached 96 degrees, beating its record for the month, which was 94 degrees on Oct. 9, 2007.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport beat its October record, also set on Oct. 5, 1941, when it reached 98 degrees at 12:47 p.m.
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Each airport's record high for Oct. 2 was 89 degrees set in 1986.
When the temperature reached 93 degrees with a heat index of 95, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a heat emergency.
District government enforced the Heat Emergency Plan, which creates cooling centers in libraries, recreation centers during their regular business hours and at the Adams Place Day Center.
The Department of General Services advises people to drink plenty of water, wear light clothing and stay in the shade when outdoors.
Wednesday was the 62nd 90-degree day of the year. The record is 67, set in 1980 and 2010.
