June 23, 2013: Heat Continues; Stormy Pattern Develops

Forecast Highlights:

A stretch of several days of hot and humid conditions begins today, with temperatures through Wednesday in the mid 80s to low 90s, humidity resulting in higher heat index values, and a risk of isolated storms during most afternoon/evenings, especially north/west of NYC. As a trough begins to set up over the central US, temperatures will cool down for the late week into next weekend as a wetter pattern likely develops.

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Today - Wednesday: Hot, Humid, Some Storms

With a warm and humid air mass spreading into the region, the outlook remains the same for today through Wednesday, with mostly to partly sunny skies, temperatures in the mid 80s to low 90s across the area with the coolest temperatures near the coast, and a risk of isolated afternoon/evening thunderstorms for Monday through Wednesday, especially north and west of NYC. Locations that stay dry with sunshine most of the day away from the coast are expected to reach the low 90s, especially in the immediate NYC area, with heat index values in the mid to possibly upper 90s.


Thursday - Beyond: Cooler, Stormier

The pattern for the first half of this week will consist of weak ridging in the eastern half of the US. By the second half of the week into the following week, ridging will expand into the western US and intensify, with 500mb heights up to 594-597dm likely. Meanwhile, the flow aloft will become relatively amplified for this time of the year, with a trough dropping into the central-eastern US. This pattern, likely to last from the late week through the beginning of July, will consist of temperatures near to possibly slightly below average, with the coolest temperature departures likely staying west of the region, along with an increased probability of above average rainfall as a slow moving cold front affects the region with rain and storms for Friday and the weekend. Stay tuned for more information on the longer range outlook.