Is summer heat, humidity over for the northeastern US?

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist

August 24,2016; 10:18PM,EDT

 

Following a taste of autumn chill to start the week, is summer heat and humidity over for the northeastern United States?
"While the time of the year dictates that average temperatures trend downward through the balance of summer and into the autumn, summer warmth and humidity are likely to linger this year," according to AccuWeather Long-Range Meteorologist Evan Duffey.
For example, in New York City, average high temperatures trend downward from near 80 F at the start of September to near 70 at the end of September.
A declining sun angle and lengthening nights will make it progressively more difficult for long stretches of 90-degree weather.
However, the Interstate 95 corridor of the Northeast is not done with highs in the 90s yet.

One such spell of hot and humid weather will take hold in much of the corridor late this week and last into next week. Across the Appalachians and in central and northern New England, highs will generally be in the 80s most days during the period.
Another spike or two of 90-degree weather is possible in the corridor from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia, New York City and Boston during September.
While the weather centered on this weekend will be uncomfortable for many people who mind the heat with high humidity, conditions will not be as extreme as that of the middle of August.
"Beyond August, most days in September and into October will likely be very warm, or much warmer than average," Duffey said.

"Because of the lower sun angle, cooler nights and highs in the 70s and 80s versus the 90s most days, it should not be unbearable for people who mind the heat," he said.
The pattern can still deliver a couple of days here and there, where temperatures dip to seasonal or even cooler-than-average levels.
"The only way a prolonged stretch of unseasonably cool conditions could occur would be if a tropical system were to swing up over the eastern U.S. and cause widespread rain and/or alter the jet stream (strong upper-atmosphere steering winds)," Duffey said.
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"Otherwise, most cool shots will struggle to push east of the Midwestern states and will lead to a number of warm and humid days through September and into October," Duffey said.