DC, Philadelphia Set 'Amazing' Heat Records

By Alex Sosnowski, Expert Senior Meteorologist

July 22,2013; 9:45PM,EDT

 

 

While the recent heat wave did not set many record high temperatures, records have fallen based on the duration of heat.
This summer has been responsible for some rather uncomfortable sleeping weather. Many nights have been warm and muggy in the Northeast.
In Philadelphia, temperatures have not dropped below 70 degrees since June 23. This 28-day stretch is the longest string of days at or above 70-degrees since records have been kept in 1872. The old record was 26 consecutive days at or above 70 degrees set during the summer of 1876 and more recently in 1995.
Tour bus salesman Shariff Davis takes a drink of water on Independence Mall in the heat of the midday on Friday, July 19, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke).
New York City has experienced three consecutive nights where the temperature was above 80 degrees, spanning July 18-20.
In Washington, D.C., the temperature failed to drop below 80 degrees for five nights during the recent heat wave.
According to Warning Coordinator Meteorologist Chris Strong at the Baltimore/Washington area NWS office, the five-day string of 80-degree or greater low temperatures is a record.
The four-day period starting on July 21, 2011, was the most recent record-holder with three days beginning on July 5, 2012, being number two.
High temperatures have not been exceptional in Washington, D.C., at least, Strong said of the recent heat wave, but high humidity has contributed to very warm nights.
Strong described this record streak as "amazing," adding, "At least the string was broken this morning."
The temperature in Washington, D.C., Monday morning finally fell below 80, dropping to 77 degrees.

Meanwhile, in the South, daytime and nighttime temperatures have been notably lower this summer.
Day and night time temperatures have averaged nearly two degrees warmer in Washington, D.C., compared to Atlanta.
According to Expert Senior Meteorologists Dale Mohler, "Columbia, S.C., typically hits 100 degrees at least once during about 75 percent of the summers."
Columbia's highest temperature thus far has only been 96 degrees.
New York City's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Boston's Logan International Airport (BOS) have been hotter by day than Columbia and Atlanta, Ga. JFK reached 100 degrees on July 18 and BOS reached 99 degrees on July 19. Both locations each set some of the few daily record highs during the heat wave.
The hottest Atlanta has been so far this summer is 92 degrees on June 28. At about 1,000 feet above sea level and farther inland from the coast, Atlanta's climate during the summer is on par with Washington, D.C. However, the warmest night Atlanta has experienced this summer so far was 74 degrees on June 27.