Maryland is bracing for a heat wave this weekend, with temperatures expected to soar into the 90s, significantly higher than the final weekend of May. Forecasts predict highs of 93°F on Friday and 95°F on Saturday, marking a stark contrast to the record-cold temperatures experienced during Memorial Day weekend. The heat wave coincides with ongoing moderate-to-severe drought conditions across the state, prompting the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to issue a drought watch for nearly six million residents in the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Residents are urged to adopt water-saving measures as the region faces its driest conditions in two decades. Thunderstorms are anticipated to arrive Saturday night, providing some potential relief from the heat, with Sunday temperatures expected to drop to around 91°F. Cooler temperatures are forecast for Monday, with a high of 82°F.