You just experienced one of NYC’s most humid summers ever

Meteorological Autumn is set to begin in just a few short days on September 1st. As we wrap up meteorological summer here in NYC, it is hard not to consider feeling like we have sweat through our shirts every day since June. The crazy thing is – such a thought wouldn’t really be an exaggeration. This has been one of the most humid summers on record in the NYC Metro Area, and throughout the Mid Atlantic and Northeast states for that matter.

The numbers are staggering. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), for example, has spent nearly 1000 (one thousand) hours with a dew point over 70 F this year. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) checks in at around 550 hours. Central Park (NYC) clocks in well over 650 hours. The same goes for Newark (EWR) with well over 600 hours of dew point temperatures over 70 F. All of these numbers are roughly double the average over the past 30-40 years.

Kennedy Airport has spent nearly 1000 hours with dew points over 70 F this year, blowing away any previous year in the database.

Kennedy Airport (JFK) has had it particularly bad. Persistent south/southeasterly winds have ushered in warm and moist air off the Atlantic Ocean for a huge majority of the summer season, leading to unusually high dew points. When one considers that this summer also featured a few bouts of heat and temperatures near or above average, the significance of the high dew points becomes apparent.

Taking average hours spent with dew points at certain thresholds, it becomes even more staggering how humid this summer has been. At JFK, it has been humid – and only humid. This summer has averaged well below normal in hours spent with dew points below 65 F (in other words, it has very rarely been comfortable) and well above normal in hours with dew points at or above 70-75 F. The humidity has been relentless.

The atmospheric weather pattern on average has been the large-scale driver for this. Multiple mid level ridges have built into the Northeast States and Mid Atlantic. Low level air flow has helped to advect in warm and moist air for stretches of days and weeks. To make matters worse, a few tropical airmasses have advected into the area and have been enhanced by frontal boundaries, resulting in widespread torrential rainfall and very high precipitable water values.

Many areas have spent less than normal hours with comfortable dew points this summer – making matters even worse.

The Autumn air – yes, it will eventually arrive – is going to feel extra sweet this year.

Trending temporarily cooler this weekend

The relentlessly hot air will temporarily make its way out of the area through Friday, and will be replaced by cooler air. In fact, a few atmospheric disturbances are expected to lead to showers and cloudiness in the Northern Mid-Atlantic states from Friday into Saturday. Widespread heavy rainfall is not expected, but sporadic areas of rain are possible.

Most notably, the clouds will keep temperatures down. Highs in the 70’s are possible on Friday and they may even stay there (or in the lower 80’s) on Saturday. With cooler temperatures moving in aloft, and a few disturbances around with a totally new wind component, the airmass will feel refreshing compared to what we’ve been soaking in over the past few days.

Temperatures fall this weekend, providing temporary relief as a disturbance moves into the area.

It won’t last.

Forecast models continue with the suggestion that widespread heat returns to the Northeast states during the early to middle part of next week, likely resulting in another stretch of above normal temperatures and high dew points. I think we speak for everyone when we say this weekend will be a relief. Much more coming on the heat as we move through the next few days. Enjoy your Thursday evening!