a thermometer registering over 100 degrees with the sun and sky in the background

Culture

POLL: Is the Heat Affecting Your Fourth of July Plans?

Temperatures are forecasted to surpass 100 degrees three days in a row.

By Michele Kettner June 30, 2026 at 12:14 pm

This holiday week is set to be brutal thanks in part to the heat wave overtaking Northern Virginia. Starting Wednesday, temperatures are expected to reach the high 90s and cross into the 100s leading up to the Fourth of July.

With possible record-breaking high temperatures in the forecast, experts are telling residents to stay hydrated and out of the sun — which could affect your Fourth of July celebrations.

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Poll Results from June 23

cyclist on bike trail — *kunchainub/stock.adobe.com*

It’s not often that a new trail opens, especially one that isn’t surrounded by parkland. On Saturday, a new bicycle and pedestrian trail is set to open along I-495 in McLean.

The 2.5-mile trail is part of 495 NEXT, the Virginia Department of Transportation’s ongoing express lane expansion project. It runs parallel to I-495 and is situated behind new noise walls.

We want to know, do you plan on using this trail?

graph showing that 76% of voters don't plan to use the new I-495 trail

Feature image, lamyai/stock.adobe.com

Michele Kettner

Audience Engagement Editor

Michele Kettner joined Northern Virginia Magazine in 2020 after spending two semesters as an editorial intern at the magazine. The University of Maryland graduate is currently the audience engagement editor and covers everything from can’t-miss things to do and holiday events to new restaurant and store openings throughout Northern Virginia.