So It's Hot Out

The Washington Post and Times agree: it's hot out.

(WaPo) The sweltering heat and humidity continued to smother the Washington region today, with the National Weather Service forecasting a high of 101 degrees. As of 5 p.m. the weather service reported a temperature of 97 degrees, with a heat index of 106 degrees, at Reagan National Airport.

Local transit officials said riders should expect delays on their afternoon commutes because of heat restrictions that will slow Metrorail, VRE and MARC trains. Metro is handing out free water at some stations with escalators are on the blink.

An excessive heat warning remains in effect for the area and the weather service is predicting 100-plus degree temperatures tomorrow and Thursday...

For the afternoon rush, Metro will be slowing trains to 45 mph in the above-ground sections, instead of running at the top speed of 59 mph. In addition, Metro, which has an electrified third rail that powers trains, is adding two to three minutes between them. Both measures are intended to conserve electricity.

This despite the Post's report:

Unlike the electricity transmission grid in California, which has not built power generating plants fast enough to meet growing electricity demand, the regional grid that includes Washington has enough generating capacity, officials said.

But who doesn't love slower, hotter, and more crowded trains?