The Washington Monument, a top tourist destination in Washington D.C., closed Tuesday due to extreme heat warnings.
Visitors were also barred from the monument Monday as temperatures neared 100 degrees. Tuesday is expected to see a high of 99 degrees. For those living in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees this week. Dangerous heat indexes are expected in most of the country, affecting 220 million people.
The remaining 24 National Parks and Monuments remain open in Washington, D.C., despite the heat. Most other monuments and parks have roofing or a large population of trees for visitors to keep cool under. When it comes to the park that hosts the Washington Monument, however, trees are sparse, and there is little reprieve from the heat.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser advised visitors and residents to the nation’s capital “to stay hydrated, limit time outside, and check on seniors, young children, and vulnerable neighbors” in an X post Monday. The city provides free transportation to a number of cooling stations, which include libraries and recreation centers.
It’s going to be a hot week in the District.
Be sure to stay hydrated, limit time outside, and check on seniors, young children, & vulnerable neighbors.
Learn more about staying cool in extreme temperatures: https://t.co/QIXMlZsIzJ. pic.twitter.com/VkoRrRAM3n
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) June 23, 2025
The heat can affect the operations of Metro rail, with trains traveling slower due to the heat on outdoor rails. When rail temperatures surpass 135 degrees, metro trains are limited to above-ground speeds of 35 mph.
HEAT DOME EXPECTED TO FALL ON MOST OF THE US THIS WEEK
Heat waves are the deadliest form of extreme weather in the U.S., as they result in more than 800 heat-related deaths per year on average since 1999, according to a 2023 study.
Washington D.C.’s website also recommends wearing loose clothing and to allow sweating to regulate body temperature.