June 30, 2012: Warmth Continues, No End In Sight

Forecast Highlights:


- No end to warmth in sight through foreseeable range
- Some storms possible for 4th of July


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Today's Observations:

Following yesterday's widespread and damaging southern Mid Atlantic severe weather outbreak, which missed NYC to the south but resulted in increased cloud cover overnight, dry conditions were observed across most of the region today, although cloud cover moved in during the afternoon hours keeping temperatures slightly cooler than expected. Highs reached the lower 90s inland, mid 90s in the immediate NYC area, and the lower 90s across most of Long Island/S CT with upper 80s in eastern areas.


Despite the heat observed over the last few days and last week, the rest of the month was generally near-below average, with frequent periods of chilly temperatures. The heat kept most of the area slightly warmer than average for June by near or less than 1 degrees, although Newark ended up very close to the average mark. Central Park officially observed its first slightly cooler than average month since early 2011, ending a long streak of warmer than average months, although it should be noted that Central Park had cooler temperatures than the rest of NYC for at least a week starting with last week's heat wave, when Central Park peaked at 94 degrees while the rest of the reporting stations near NYC exceeded 95 degrees, JFK for 1 day and the other stations for both. While temperatures will slightly cool down over the next few days, the warm pattern will continue with no relief in sight over the next week.




Tomorrow's Outlook:


Hot temperatures are expected again tomorrow, although the slow cooling trend will continue with highs reaching the lower 90s inland, lower to mid 90s in the immediate NYC area, and upper 80s to lower 90s in Long Island/S CT with mid 80s closer to the coast, especially further east. Partly sunny skies are expected with west winds, switching to the SW for Long Island and parts of southern CT in the afternoon/evening hours.


Next Week: Warmth Continues, Some Storms


A weak cold front will move into the region on Monday and Tuesday, but very little cool air will come in behind the cold front, with the warmth sticking around. Temperatures will reach the mid to upper 80s for both days across the area, possibly getting near 90 degrees in parts of the immediate NYC area. Mostly to partly sunny skies are expected for both days.

By Wednesday, a warm front will move through the region as ridging returns. As a result, scattered thunderstorms are possible on Wednesday, with highs reaching the mid to upper 80s for most of the area, possibly reaching 90 degrees in the immediate NYC area depending on the amount of cloud cover and how much storms are observed. Temperatures are likely to hold steady or slightly warm up for Thursday and Friday, with another surge of heat possible for Friday and into parts of the weekend as temperatures are expected to warm up above 90 degrees again, perhaps above 95 degrees. Stay tuned for more information on next week's outlook including the July 4th outlook.