Spring to begin with a brief hot spell across the eastern US
By
Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Mar 16, 2020 4:05 PM EDT
A surge of very warm air is poised to make a run along the Eastern Seaboard and Appalachians just in time for the official start of spring -- and some areas may challenge records that have been standing for several decades.
The warmth will expand eastward from Wednesday to Friday, and 2020's vernal equinox will occur on Thursday, March 19, at 11:50 p.m. EST, the earliest in the United States in about 124 years.
The big warmup will occur ahead of a series of storms traveling from the southern Plains to the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada this week. Even though temperatures will not reach criteria for an official heat wave for the region, or three consecutive days at 90 degrees or above, forecasters say it will feel like a brief heat wave for spring standards.
"Many areas are likely to experience highs well into the 60s, 70s and even the lower 80s late this week," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said.
The anticipated warmth will put temperatures at record-challenging levels. In some cases, records date back as far as the World War II and I eras.
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For example, the record at Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport on Friday is 83 from back in 1945. AccuWeather is forecasting a high of 83 on Friday, which would tie the record.
Meanwhile, it will be a similar story in Atlanta on Thursday. Temperatures are forecast to reach at least into the lower 80s. The record on Thursday is 85 set in 1982.
"The warmth will provide an opportunity for people to let fresh air into their homes and to allow more of the general population to go for walks and participate in outdoor exercise without being in crowded environments," Anderson said.
Some studies have shown that pathogens are affected by warmth and UV exposure.
The big boost in temperatures will be preceded by and accompanied by rounds of rain as a strong storm cuts from the southern Plains to the Upper Midwest late this week.
However, as the storm swings by early this weekend, another big change will take place as a sweep of much colder air will slice from the Midwest to the Northeast.
Temperatures are likely to be slashed by 30 to 50 degrees from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning, although warmth may try to hold on one more day along part of the Atlantic coast from around the Delmarva Peninsula on south.
With temperatures above average thus far this month and the warmth likely to continue much of this week, spring budding will continue to advance ahead of average in most cases.
Temperatures have averaged about 7 degrees above normal so far this month in the Washington, D.C., area, helping to bump up the blooming period of the tidal basin's famous show-stopping trees. The cherry blossoms at Washington, D.C.'s National Mall are forecast to peak March 21-24, according to the National Park Service.
Temperatures this month have averaged well above average in other cities across the region with departures of around 7 degrees in Philadelphia, 6 degrees in Boston and 8 degrees in New York City.
While the colder weather forecast for this weekend could slow down the emergence of the blossoms, the warmth expected prior to this weekend could advance peak blooms by another day or two.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
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News / Weather Forecasts
Spring to begin with a brief hot spell across the eastern US
By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Mar 16, 2020 4:05 PM EDT
A surge of very warm air is poised to make a run along the Eastern Seaboard and Appalachians just in time for the official start of spring -- and some areas may challenge records that have been standing for several decades.
The warmth will expand eastward from Wednesday to Friday, and 2020's vernal equinox will occur on Thursday, March 19, at 11:50 p.m. EST, the earliest in the United States in about 124 years.
The big warmup will occur ahead of a series of storms traveling from the southern Plains to the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada this week. Even though temperatures will not reach criteria for an official heat wave for the region, or three consecutive days at 90 degrees or above, forecasters say it will feel like a brief heat wave for spring standards.
"Many areas are likely to experience highs well into the 60s, 70s and even the lower 80s late this week," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said.
The anticipated warmth will put temperatures at record-challenging levels. In some cases, records date back as far as the World War II and I eras.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
For example, the record at Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport on Friday is 83 from back in 1945. AccuWeather is forecasting a high of 83 on Friday, which would tie the record.
Meanwhile, it will be a similar story in Atlanta on Thursday. Temperatures are forecast to reach at least into the lower 80s. The record on Thursday is 85 set in 1982.
"The warmth will provide an opportunity for people to let fresh air into their homes and to allow more of the general population to go for walks and participate in outdoor exercise without being in crowded environments," Anderson said.
Some studies have shown that pathogens are affected by warmth and UV exposure.
The big boost in temperatures will be preceded by and accompanied by rounds of rain as a strong storm cuts from the southern Plains to the Upper Midwest late this week.
However, as the storm swings by early this weekend, another big change will take place as a sweep of much colder air will slice from the Midwest to the Northeast.
Temperatures are likely to be slashed by 30 to 50 degrees from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning, although warmth may try to hold on one more day along part of the Atlantic coast from around the Delmarva Peninsula on south.
Related:
With temperatures above average thus far this month and the warmth likely to continue much of this week, spring budding will continue to advance ahead of average in most cases.
Temperatures have averaged about 7 degrees above normal so far this month in the Washington, D.C., area, helping to bump up the blooming period of the tidal basin's famous show-stopping trees. The cherry blossoms at Washington, D.C.'s National Mall are forecast to peak March 21-24, according to the National Park Service.
Temperatures this month have averaged well above average in other cities across the region with departures of around 7 degrees in Philadelphia, 6 degrees in Boston and 8 degrees in New York City.
While the colder weather forecast for this weekend could slow down the emergence of the blossoms, the warmth expected prior to this weekend could advance peak blooms by another day or two.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo