Temperatures will soar two to four degrees
above the historical average across much of the United States this summer, leading to an
increased demand for electricity to run air
conditioners.
- More 90-degree days are expected in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and
Chicago this summer compared to
2023.
- Drought conditions forecast to expand in
Northern Rockies, Interior Northeast, and Interior
Southwest
- Forecast for "Explosive" hurricane season could lead to
increased flooding threats along the Gulf Coast
- California is expected
to remain free of widespread drought this summer
STATE
COLLEGE, Pa., May 1, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- AccuWeather's team of long-range forecasters says
millions of Americans are expected to experience above-historical
average temperatures across much of the country this summer.
The AccuWeather U.S. 2024 Summer Forecast also calls for
rounds of stormy weather in the Central U.S. and Gulf Coast, as
well as growing drought concerns from the upper Midwest and Great
Lakes to the interior Northeast.
The summer heat will come on the heels of a warm spring in many
places. Baltimore topped 90
degrees on April 29, nearly one month
ahead of the historical average. Phoenix had its earliest 100-degree day in six
years, on April 21.
Increased Demand For Air Conditioning & Higher Power Bills
Temperatures are expected to climb at least two degrees above
the historical average across more than half of the United States this summer.
AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Forecaster Paul Pastelok says the
widespread heat could lead to higher energy bills for families and
businesses running air conditioners around the clock.
"Energy demand is expected to be higher compared to average. Air
conditioners, fans, and other cooling devices will be in high
demand," said Pastelok. "Summer 2024 can feature heat waves for
many areas across the Plains to the Northeast. Compared to
historical averages, the hottest areas could be over the Great
Lakes, upper Midwest, and southwest Plains."
Rounds of showers and thunderstorms in these areas could offer
breaks in the heat in June and July, but drier weather could result
in hotter temperatures for the region in August.
New York City is forecast to
see double the number of 90-degree days compared to last summer.
People in Boston could experience
four times as many 90-degree days this summer, compared to the five
days reported last summer.
Philadelphia, Chicago, and Washington D.C. are also forecast to
experience more 90-degree days this summer, compared to last year
and the historical average.
At times, showers and thunderstorms will help to curb excessive
heat along Gulf Coast states, a dramatic shift from the pattern
last summer. Dry spells led to hotter temperatures and expanded
drought conditions last summer, especially in Louisiana and coastal Texas.
Daytime high temperatures are forecast to be near historical
averages, but high humidity levels will lead to very warm nights
across much of the Gulf Coast region.
Storms at times in the Pacific Northwest will bring showers and
thunderstorms to the area this summer. The pattern will reduce the
chance of prolonged stretches of hot temperatures in Portland and Seattle.
Denver is forecast to see more
90-degree days this summer, compared to last year. Minneapolis, Dallas, Phoenix, and Portland, Oregon, are all expected to see
fewer 90-degree days this summer, compared to 2023.
Summer Thunderstorms Rumbling Across America
The increase in summer heat across much of the country will
contribute to an expected uptick in storms.
"Severe weather events can be frequent in June and part of
July," said Pastelok.
Intense summer heat can also enhance the risk of a derecho, or a
cluster of intense thunderstorms that cause widespread wind damage
over a long path.
A derecho generates winds over 58 miles per hour across an area
more than 400 miles wide.
The annual monsoon is the driving force behind most of the
summertime storms in the southwest United
States, but Pastelok says the monsoon may arrive later this
year as compared to recent years.
Monsoon activity in the Southwest is forecast to peak from late
July through mid-August, before winding down in September.
Storms in the Southwest can provide relief from the heat, but
they can also raise the risk of flash floodings and wildfires
sparked by lightning.
Pastelok said flooding could also be a problem from the
Florida coast to the Texas coast this summer.
"There is an increased flood threat for the Gulf Coast states as
a busy tropical season is anticipated with one or two threats in
the summer season," said Pastelok.
AccuWeather expert meteorologists are forecasting an "explosive"
hurricane season with 20 to 25 named storms across the Atlantic
Basin and four to six direct impacts on the United States.
Tropical activity could ramp up around the same time the
wildfire season shifts into high gear across the U.S. and
Canada.
Following a warm winter with below-historical average snowfall
across much of the northern Plains and upper Midwest, drought
conditions are expected to expand and increase the threat of
wildfires.
Pastelok says dry conditions will contribute to temperatures
climbing higher than the historical average in the interior
Southwest. Streaks of 100 to 110 degrees are expected.
Drought conditions in the lower Midwest states are expected to
end by early summer, but Pastelok says drought will intensify and
spread from the northern Rockies to the far interior Northeast.
AccuWeather expert meteorologists announced in March that
California would remain free of
widespread drought through the end of 2025, following back-to-back
winters with above-historical average precipitation and mountain
snowpack. Pastelok said pockets of abnormally dry conditions are
possible in California by late
summer.
AccuWeather expert long-range forecasters expect fewer wildfires
across the United States this
year, but warn that that Canada
could see another summer with large wildfires that sends smoke
pouring into northern U.S.
Climate Connection
The trend of hotter afternoons and warmer nights during the
summer months are becoming more common and having larger impacts
across the United States.
"There has been a significant increase in the amount of area in
the lower 48 states that has experienced unusually warm summer
nights, and to a lesser extent hotter afternoons, especially over
the past 25 years," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett
Anderson. "The western U.S. has seen the greatest increase in the
number of scorching summer days. Drier years in recent times have
helped build the summer heat."
Anderson said families and businesses across much of the nation
should prepare for a future with more intense heat waves.
"There have been notable changes in the characteristics of heat
waves in the United States since
the 1960's. The biggest change that we've seen in recent decades is
the heat wave season expanding, starting earlier in the late
spring, and stretching into early fall," explained Anderson. "Heat
waves are happening more often, and they are lasting longer.
Climate change is a main contributor behind the intense heat waves
in the U.S."
Prepare For Future Heat Waves
With a hot summer on the horizon and the growing likelihood of
even hotter summer temperatures in the future, AccuWeather expert
meteorologists say families and businesses need to plan ahead and
budget for higher energy bills.
Experts at AccuWeather's Global Center created the AccuWeather
HeatWave Counter and Severity Index last summer to help people
better understand and quantify heat waves by duration and
intensity.
Officials at the Federal Emergency Management Agency say extreme
heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States. FEMA leaders say heat waves
can also threaten critical infrastructure due to growing demand on
the electrical grid to run air conditioners at massive data
centers. Extreme heat can also lead to roadways, railways, and
airport runways buckling.
Additional AccuWeather Resources:
- AccuWeather 2024 U.S. Summer Forecast
- 10 Hottest Cities In The U.S.
- The Hidden Dangers Of Heat Waves
- AccuWeather Heat Wave Index
About AccuWeather
AccuWeather, recognized and
documented as the most accurate source of weather forecasts and
warnings in the world, has saved tens of thousands of lives,
prevented hundreds of thousands of injuries, and saved tens of
billions of dollars.
Today, AccuWeather is the most recognized and most used source
of weather forecasts and warnings in the world, known to billions,
and is proven and verified to be the most accurate. Digitally,
AccuWeather is the #1 weather destination in the world and one of
the top destination sites that exist globally.
AccuWeather forecasts appear on digital signage, in 700
newspapers, are heard on over 400 radio stations, and viewed on 100
television stations. The AccuWeather Network and AccuWeather NOW®
reach an audience of over 125 million on cable and streaming
platforms including DirecTV, Charter Communications - Spectrum,
Verizon, Philo, Fubo, Frndly TV,
Comcast's Xfinity X1 and Xfinity Stream, Roku, Xumo, Red Box, Rockbot, LG, and Amazon Freevee.
AccuWeather For Business serves more than half of the Fortune
500 companies and thousands of other businesses and government
agencies globally who pay for the most accurate weather forecasts
from any source.
Visit accuweather.com for the most accurate hyperlocal
forecasts and weather news. The AccuWeather app for Android phone
and tablet users is free at the Google Play store. The AccuWeather
iOS app is free at the Apple store.
Contact:
AccuWeather meteorologists are available 24/7
to provide further insights and updates on evolving weather
conditions. Please contact pr@accuweather.com during regular
business hours, or support@accuweather.com or call
AccuWeather's Media Hotline at (814)-235-8710 at any time to
arrange interviews with AccuWeather experts or to request the most
updated graphics for print or broadcast.
AccuWeather Severe Weather Advisories
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/accuweather-summer-2024-us-forecast-sizzling-summer-temperatures-could-lead-to-higher-power-bills-across-america-302133801.html
SOURCE AccuWeather, Inc.