Over the coming weeks, some in the Northeast will begin to see telltale signs of cooler weather in the leaves. (Photos.com)
Following a brief bout with warm but typical late-summer air, the Northeast is in for cooler, more fall-like weather over the weekend.
For those longing for more of those cooler nights, it may be just the beginning of a series of autumn previews for much of the nation's eastern half that will likely take us beyond the official start of fall next Friday.
The weather system, a cold front, responsible for the cooler air has already caused temperatures to plummet across the nation's midsection over the past few days.
In Wichita, Kan., Wednesday's high temperature of 95 degrees was followed up by thermometer readings that remained in the 50s for the balance of Thursday.
Similar sharp drops in mercury were observed Thursday in Topeka, Kan., (a high temperature of 90 Wednesday vs. 60 Thursday), Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (85 vs. 60), and Madison, Wis (86 vs. 61).
Though the front will lose some of its "oomph" when it reaches the Northeast later today and tonight, afternoon temperatures close to 80 today will be replaced by 60s and low 70s at peak heating on Saturday and Sunday.
Even cooler air is on the way later next week following heavy rain.
Combined with a fresh northwesterly breeze, it will feel cooler, especially at night.
Come Sunday and Monday morning, the coldest interior spots could be off to a frosty start. Many readings will drop into the 40s -- plenty cold enough for a jacket or sweatshirt.
Similar temperatures were experienced earlier in the week following another cold front.
While such cool air is certainly not unheard of for mid-September, it is a welcome sight for some sore (and watery) eyes which endured a warm summer, including the hottest July on record in the U.S.
Signs point to a prolonged bout of below-normal temperatures that will persist until the beginning of next month across at least the eastern half of the country.
Preceding some of the coolest air expected over the next couple of weeks will be a bout of heavy rain next week which could bring flooding to parts of the Northeast.
Severe thunderstorms with the risk of a few tornadoes will advance eastward across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest into Friday.
A dangerous outbreak of severe storms will strike the northern High Plains and Canadian Prairies on Wednesday.
Join us on Thursday for AccuWeather LIVE as we will discuss the debate of climate change and hurricane frequency and the top five things you need to know about summer weather.
A hot and humid weekend is shaping up for Chicagoland just in time for the official start of summer, while severe thunderstorms fire nearby to the north.
A tornado touched down at Denver International Airport as a severe weather system moved through the area.
A brief synopsis of the top five worst weather events of last summer.
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | N/A | |
| Low | N/A | |
| Precip | N/A |
Custer Creek, MT (1938)
Cloudburst; 48 killed in a train wreck.
Connecticut (1794)
A violent tornado started west of the Hudson River,
then travelled on to Poughkeepsie, Waterbury,
North Haven, Milford, and Branford line into Long
Island Sound. Extensive damage; funnel looked
like an "aurora borealis." At New Milford, 28
buildings were destroyed or damaged. A barn door
was carried 9 miles from its original site.
Philadelphia, PA (1994)
Strong thunderstorm winds blew off a large section
of a hanger roof and also damaged two aircraft.
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