These 4 US cities will feel summer warmth linger into autumn
A group of beachgoers play spikeball on the beach in Belmar, N.J. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
It may feel like an endless summer for parts of the United States this year, as fall, well, falls back and higher-than-normal temperatures linger longer.
Much of the Northeast and the mid-Atlantic I-95 corridor can expect to have temperatures 3 to 3.5 degrees above normal this September. Also, for much of the Northwest above-normal warmth will continue deeper into fall, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.
Spokane, Washington, (3.5 degrees above normal), Portland, Oregon, (2.5), Baltimore, (1.5-2), and Washington, D.C., (1.5-2) are four U.S. cities expected to feel the extended summer warmth. Baltimore and Washington, D.C., averaged temperatures 1.5 to 2 degrees above normal last fall also, while Portland was 1 degree above normal and Spokane was around its average temperature.
Despite being in the height of summer, we want to prepare you for what's ahead. AccuWeather Expert Long-Range Forecaster Paul Pastelok breaks down the fall outlook across the country and why the summer clothes may need to stay out a little longer.
“Like the past few seasons, the East will enjoy late-summer weather and vacations at the beaches," said AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok. "And the Pacific Northwest to east of the Cascades will get the worst of the heat and dryness, particularly in the beginning of the season."
It is worth noting that the averages and stats above are from meteorological fall (Sept. 1 - Nov. 30) as opposed to Sept. 23 - Dec 21.
Impacts of lingering heat into fall
This will continue the heat and humidity the Northeast has already experienced for much of the summer. Estimated costs for cooling from May 1 through July 30 compared to normal cooling costs are higher in a number of cities in the Northeast, according to an AccuWeather analysis.
Boston (31.6% higher), Washington, D.C., (23.9%) and Philadelphia (19.9%) have seen significantly higher estimated cooling costs compared to normal.
Unfortunately, "The [higher] temperatures will add to the wildfire risk for areas of the Northwest," Pastelok cautioned.
Much of Washington and parts of Oregon are already at severe or moderate drought levels, according to data from the United States Drought Monitor.
The higher temperatures could also delay the peak fall foliage for parts of the U.S., as well as mean a possible late start to ski season for many, Pastelok added.
Download the free AccuWeather app to see the forecast for your location. Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
