This surge of blistering heat waves this weekend as summer draws to a close, and data underscores the extraordinary heat experienced in various parts of the country in recent months.
A scorching heat wave is set to engulf the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions this upcoming heat wave this weekend and early next week, according to the weather service
A wide swath of the nation, spanning from the Dakotas down to southern Texas, is poised to endure a sweltering heat wave this weekend with temperatures soaring well above the norm. AccuWeather even predicts that over this extended Labor Day heat wave this weekend, records dating back nearly a century could crumble under the weight of an expansive heat dome, dominating the central United States in the initial days of September. Highs in the 90s will be commonplace across the Plains states, with some areas witnessing mercury levels hitting the century mark. These temperatures are a striking 10-20 degrees higher than historical averages, inching close to, if not surpassing, daily record highs.
As we transition into early next week, the Northeast will also fall victim to the searing heat wave this weekend, with New York City potentially experiencing a heat wave this weekend. AccuWeather’s senior meteorologist, Dave Dombek, anticipates that the late-summer warmth, with highs reaching into the 90s, will replace the previous 80-degree highs. Climatologists, meanwhile, officially marked the end of summer late this week as August gave way to September, even though the calendar designates the first day of fall as September 23. The summer of 2023 will be remembered as the hottest ever recorded in numerous cities, including Miami, Houston, New Orleans, Austin, San Antonio, and Phoenix.
The National Weather Service in Jackson, Mississippi, describes the recent heat wave this weekend and drought as “historic,” leaving a lasting impression
The region experienced the most extreme and extensive heat wave this weekend since weather records began in the late 19th century. Several areas, including Hattiesburg, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Austin, and San Antonio, broke their all-time summer heat records. Even the Dallas-Ft. Worth area endured its third-hottest summer ever, coupled with a severe dry spell.
In the Southwest, Phoenix endured its hottest summer on record, surpassing the previous record set in 2020. However, not all regions of the country sweltered; some areas experienced average or even cooler-than-average summers. More comprehensive national and state-level summer temperature data is expected from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on September 11.
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