As the official start of meteorological summer approaches, forecasters are predicting that 2024 will bring another above-average hot summer across many parts of the United States. States in the Northeast, Midwest, Great Plains, and Southwest can expect temperatures to be at least two degrees above historical averages from June to August. Some areas, such as the Canadian border and west Texas, could see even bigger spikes of three to four degrees above average. While cities in the South and Southwest experienced intense heat waves last year, this year is expected to bring above-average heat to cities along the East Coast and in the Midwest.
Major cities like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Chicago are expected to see an increase in 90-plus-degree days this summer compared to previous years. Phoenix is forecasted to experience between 174 and 182 days over 90 degrees, slightly lower than last year but still indicative of a blistering summer ahead. Other cities, such as Minneapolis, Dallas, Denver, and Portland, Oregon, are also expected to see an above-average number of 90-plus-degree days.
AccuWeather lead hurricane forecaster Alex DaSilva believes that a warm Atlantic basin and East Coast heat waves could contribute to a very active Atlantic hurricane season this summer and fall. The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, is predicted to see as many as 25 named storms this year, surpassing last year’s 19 storms. Other meteorologists, including those at Colorado State University, are also forecasting an above-average number of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes for this year.
Last summer, more than 6,500 daily heat records were broken in U.S. cities and towns, while another 3,500 records were tied. While cities in the South and Southwest faced intense heat waves, Death Valley National Park in California nearly broke the all-time global temperature record, reaching 128 degrees in Furnace Creek. Phoenix also set a record last September with 55 days recording temperatures above 110 degrees, indicating the severity of heat waves in certain regions. Despite the focus on southern cities last year, meteorologists are predicting above-average heat across a wider range of regions in the U.S. this summer.
