Heat Wave Kicks Off September From DC to NYC

By Jordan Root, Meteorologist

September 1,2015; 9:24PM,EDT

 

The calendar may have flipped to September but summer is not going anywhere just yet across the Northeast.
July-like heat with moderate humidity extend from the Midwest to much of the East this week.
Highs in many areas most days will range from the upper 80s to the lower 90s F, which is about 10 degrees above average for early September.

Soaring Temperatures and High Humidity in the East

"One of the warmest weeks of the summer can be expected across the Northeast this week," AccuWeather Meteorologist Dave Samuhel said.
Much of the Interstate 95 corridor, including Washington, D.C., New York City and Philadelphia, will have several consecutive days with temperatures in the 90s, marking an official heat wave for the area.

Chicago, Detroit and Indianapolis will have high temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees above normal this week.
A large area of high pressure nearby will keep the heat in place for a while. This will also send storms farther north into Canada and should keep most tropical moisture at bay in the South.
The combination of the heat and high humidity will make for rather uncomfortable conditions outside this week. Those who must endure several hours working in these conditions are advised to stay hydrated and to take breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned environment.
AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will peak well into the 90s to near 100 during the afternoons in the urban areas most days this week. The RealFeel® Temperatures take into account the actual temperature, humidity, wind, sun intensity, cloud cover and other factors. The RealFeel Temperature is more representative than the heat index as to how it feels to your body.
Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States each year and is something to take serious. There are several ways to help beat the heat, including wearing light-colored clothing and eating certain foods. Never leave your child or pet alone in a vehicle.

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Despite the sun angle becoming lower each day as autumn gets closer, sunblock will still be needed for those expecting long exposure to the sun outside, including beachgoers. The weather will present a great opportunity to hit the beach or the pool.
Only swim where lifeguards are present. The number of lifeguards may be lower than most years prior to Labor day due to the lateness of the last holiday of the summer this year.
The warmth is likely to continue through Labor Day in most areas of the Northeast.
However, there will be brief push of cooler air spreading southwestward in the Northeast during the middle to latter part of the week.

The most noticeable chance for a couple of days will be in New England and along the beaches of the mid-Atlantic. Temperatures will be trimmed back to seasonable levels.
As the front slips southward and lifts the hot and humid air, spotty thunderstorms may develop.
Warmth will again build across the region for the Labor Day weekend.

This won't be the first heat wave experienced this summer as temperatures eclipsed 90 F for several days during the middle of August.
The interior Northeast and most of the Midwest will miss out on a heat wave, but temperatures will still be well above average. Cincinnati to Pittsburgh, Buffalo to Syracuse and across much of New England will have highs in the mid to upper 80s with perhaps a day or two reaching 90.
"Despite the heat, records are not expected to be broken in most of the Northeast," added Samuhel.
Most of the records for New York City and other areas are in the upper 90s to lower 100s.
"However, farther north into northern New England and eastern Canada, the heat will come much closer to records," said Samuhel.
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Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City could come close to tying or even breaking records on a day or two this week, especially around midweek.
The heat will not just be confined to the daytime. Muggy and warm conditions at night this week will force windows to be kept shut and air conditioners to run continuously.
Most, if not all, of this week will stay dry across the Midwest and Northeast with plenty of sunshine each day. The best chance for precipitation in the Northeast will likely not arrive until closer to the end of the week, and even that event will be rather spotty. Moisture from Tropical Rainstorm Erika is not expected to impact the Northeast.
Lawns may begin to turn brown due to the lack of rainfall. Some areas may even fall under the classification of a drought due to past dry conditions in August and the lack of rainfall expected ahead.
With the summer season set to end toward the latter half of September, the heat will naturally begin to slowly fade away as normal temperatures increasingly drop. However, the heat may hold on extra long this year.
"Long-range signs point toward the heat sticking around past Labor Day," noted Samuhel.
The AccuWeather Fall Forecast is calling for dry and warm conditions for much of the Northeast.