Tag Archives: heat

Monthly Summary: June 2012

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This year, June was a roller-coaster of temperatures in New York City.  We started off cooler than normal, but warmed up toward the end of the month with two separate heat waves – periods of at least three consecutive days with temperatures above 90°F. Despite this uneven distribution of heat, the city ended the month exactly average at 71°F.

In terms of precipitation, NYC was below normal. In spite of the month’s soggy start and numerous thunderstorms, only 2.97 inches of rain was measured in Central Park.  That is 1.44 inches below average. Although the city is working with a rain deficit, we are not currently highlighted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Graph: MF at The Weather Gamut

Weather and Health: Extreme Heat

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An oppressive heat wave is currently scorching the central region of the United States and is forecast to expand eastward this weekend.  As temperatures soar, it is important to remember that intense heat can cause serious health problems.

According to the CDC, extreme heat – temperatures that are significantly hotter than the average local summertime high – is one of the leading causes of weather related deaths in this country.   Claiming hundreds of lives every year, excessive heat kills more people across the U.S. than hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined.

Extreme heat is deadly, because it forces the human body beyond its capacity to cool itself. Linked to overheating and dehydration, heat related illnesses range in severity from mild to life threatening.  Symptoms for each stage include:

Heat Cramps:  painful muscle spasms in the legs and/or abdomen

Heat Exhaustion:  fatigue, weakness, clammy skin, and nausea

Heat Stroke:  rapid pulse, hot and dry skin, no sweating, victim could possibly be
unconscious;  a medical emergency

To beat the heat, the American Red Cross suggests:

  • Avoid strenuous activity
  • Dress lightly
  • Eat lightly
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Replenish salts and minerals lost to perspiration
  • Limit caffeine and alcohol
  • Stay out of the sun
  • Cool off in an air-conditioned building, when possible

Early Summer Heat Wave in NYC

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Summer is off to a sizzling start in the eastern United States this year. The season only officially began on Wednesday and extreme heat is already gripping the region.

In New York City, we experienced our first heat wave of the year with three consecutive days of temperatures rising to the mid-90s. The average high for the city at this time of year is 81°F.  In addition to the searing temperatures, the city also had very high humidity levels, creating oppressive conditions.  According to the National Weather Service’s Heat Index, which combines temperature and humidity readings, it felt like we hit the triple digits in the Big Apple this week.

The dramatic increase in heat and humidity in the region is the result of a dominant Bermuda High. This is a subtropical area of high pressure that ushers in hot, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico to the northeast. This sweltering weather pattern, however, is about to change. A cold front is forecast to arrive this weekend, bringing cooler, less humid conditions to the area.

Third Warmest April for U.S.

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Warmer than average temperatures dominated most of the United States this April.  According to NOAA’s monthly climate report released yesterday, this was the third warmest April on record for the lower forty-eight states.

As a whole, the country averaged a temperature of 55.7°F, which is 3.6°F above average. Most of the heat was centered near the Rocky Mountains and the southern plains, where over 300 daily high temperature records were broken.  No state, however, experienced below average temperatures.

Following this country’s warmest March on record and fourth warmest winter, April’s above average temperatures were not much of a surprise.  Experts attribute the intensity of the continued warmth to the persistent northerly track of the jet stream and a combination of climate change issues, both natural and man-made.

Record Warm March for the U.S.

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Spring heat dominated the weather pattern across this country last month. Locally in NYC, March 2012 was our second warmest March on record.  Nationally, it was the warmest March ever for the contiguous United States.

As a whole, the country registered an average temperature of 51.1°F, which is 8.6°F above the 20th century average for the month.  According to the NOAA report released this week, every state in the lower forty-eight experienced at least one record warm day.  A total of 15,272 daily high temperature records were broken.

Scientists say the same reasons that caused this year’s record warm winter brought us an unusually mild March.  They include La Nina, the North Atlantic Oscillation, and their influence on the position of the Jet Stream.

NOAA is forecasting a continuation of this warm trend, especially in the eastern and southern parts of the country.