The Big Apple had a sweet, but brief, taste of summer this week.

The city’s high temperature reached 82°F on Tuesday, which is 23°F above average.The warm conditions did not last long, however.  In fact, they ended with a bang as a severe thunderstorm rolled through the area mid-week.  Producing strong winds and heavy rain, the storm ushered in cooler air and brought temperatures back to more seasonable levels.

Despite the rollercoaster-like sensation that dramatic temperature swings produce, this recent warm-up was a welcome change of pace for many winter-weary New Yorkers.

Graph Credit: The Weather Gamut