New England’s Transition to Summer Heat Will Take Time, Forecasters Say
If you’ve wondered when the heat of summer will set in on the Cape, you’re not alone. A new long-term forecast report shows that the transition to summerlike warmth will…
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If you've wondered when the heat of summer will set in on the Cape, you're not alone. A new long-term forecast report shows that the transition to summerlike warmth will be slower than normal across New England.
The Cape Cod Times cited an AccuWeather report noting that the number of 90-degree days this summer is expected to be near or above the historical average in Boston, Chicago, New York City, and Philadelphia. Forecasters are watching for a potential late-summer blast of heat and humidity in the Northeast, particularly in August.
“Record heat during the day makes headlines, but warm nights are just as impactful,” Pastelok stated in the AccuWeather report. “The urban heat island effect can amplify the effects of heat waves in cities. When temperatures stay elevated after sunset, energy demand and health risks can increase quickly.”
“This summer will likely be remembered for weather extremes,” AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok said in a written statement shared with the Cape Cod Times. He added that droughts and wildfires will be problems in certain areas of the country.
While drought conditions have eased slightly, Cape Cod has still been experiencing a persistent drought that has affected the region since 2020.
AccuWeather forecasters are also keeping an eye on hurricane potential this season. AccuWeather anticipates a 15% to 20% chance of a super El Niño developing this season. A super El Niño is “defined as ocean temperatures reaching 2 degrees Celsius or greater above average,” according to the report.
The greater the intensity of El Niño conditions, the more shear that occurs in the Atlantic Ocean, according to Weather.com. As a result, the ocean supports poorer conditions for hurricane development.
The AccuWeather forecast calls for 11 to 16 named storms this season. Four to seven have the potential to develop into hurricanes, of which two to four will become major hurricanes. Three to five of these storms will have a direct impact on the United States, according to AccuWeather.
