Are these hot temperatures normal for Washington DC in May?

A heat wave has arrived in Washington DC, bringing temperatures in the mid-90s and making it feel more like July than May.

The sweltering temperatures could also push the District toward record-breaking heat.

Here's what to know about the heat and if temperatures this hot are a normal thing for Washington DC in May.

What's the record-high temperature for May 18 in Washington DC?

"Here comes the heat for real," FOX5 Chief Meteorologist Tucker Barnes said as Monday's highs are expected to be the hottest DC has felt all year.

The National Weather Service said to expect temperatures to reach 96 degrees Monday, bringing the possibility of "heat stress to those over-exerting themselves."

Temperatures of 96 degrees would match the record set all the way back in 1877 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the NWS says.

Don't expect the hot weather to dissipate right away. NWS is forecasting high temperatures of 97 degrees Tuesday, which would break the record of 96 degrees set in 1997.

Wednesday will start off hot - with temperatures reaching 94 degrees - but showers and thunderstorms will cause the highs to drop by more than 20 degrees Thursday and Friday.

Is it normally this hot in May in Washington DC?

The National Weather Service says the average for the highest maximum temperature in May in the DC area is 90 degrees, making this week's expected weather well above average.

Through May 17, the average temperature in the District this month has been 62.9 degrees - below May’s normal average of 65.4 degrees. But with this week’s stretch of heat, this month's monthly average is expected to climb quickly.

The average high for May 18 is 77 degrees, according to The Washington Post, with Monday's temperatures expected to be nearly 20 degrees warmer.

DC has not had a day in May above 97 degrees since 2011, according to NWS data.