Push of refreshing, fall-like air to slash heat, humidity in northeastern US this weekend

After an abnormally hot start to September, big changes are in the works for the Northeast this weekend.

An unusually strong ridge of high pressure across the western Atlantic has pumped heat and humidity from the Gulf of Mexico into the eastern United States during the first week of September.

Philadelphia, Baltimore and Allentown, Pennsylvania, reached or exceeded the 90-degree mark for four consecutive days as of Sept. 6. For Washington, D.C., Sept. 7 marked the fifth day in a row with highs of 90 or higher.

Fortunately, a break from the summerlike heat in the form of Canadian air will continue to press southward this weekend.

“The boundary separating the heat from the relief will stall out across the southern mid-Atlantic on Saturday,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Ryan Adamson said.

Clouds and spotty rain is likely in parts of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia and southern New Jersey.

As the front inches farther south on Saturday, dry air will suppress clouds and rain in New England and the upper part of the mid-Atlantic.

Winds blowing southward out of Canada will keep temperatures confined to the 70s F along the I-95 corridor on Saturday, with some places in the interior struggling to get out of the 60s F.

For those with outdoor plans this weekend, Saturday certainly looks like the better day for hiking, biking, fishing and jogging in northern areas.

“By Sunday, moisture from what is left of Gordon will move toward the area and bring periods of showers to the mid-Atlantic with steadier, heavier rain farther inland,” said Adamson.

Due to the clouds, rain and chillier winds blowing off the Atlantic Ocean, high temperatures may struggle to get out of the upper 50s F in the interior on Sunday with 60s F in the I-95 corridor.

In a matter of a few days, residents may be trading in the swimwear and light, summer clothing for jackets, rain gear and sweaters.

While the cooldown will make extended periods of outdoor activities much safer, the chilly air may come as a shock to those that enjoy the warmer weather. If proper attire is not worn in damp, rainy weather, the body can quickly become chilled, which increases the likelihood of becoming sick.

College football and NFL games in the Northeast this weekend may also be impacted by the adverse weather, leading to slippery field conditions and producing an added challenge for quarterbacks and receivers.

Adamson noted that rain is likely to continue into Monday before warmer and somewhat drier weather returns for Tuesday.

Warmth and humidity may then continue to build through the middle of next week as Hurricane Florence, currently in the open waters of the Atlantic, pumps the ridge of high pressure back up across the eastern U.S.

It is unlikely that temperatures return to the levels they reached during the first week of September, but widespread highs in the 80s F are quite possible.

Download the free AccuWeather app to find out when cooler air will arrive in your town or city and to get the latest information on current tropical systems in the Atlantic.

How long the next surge of warmth may last will depend on the eventual track and forward speed of Florence.

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