Tag Archives: nyc

Weather Gamut Writer Interviewed on Weather Underground TV

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On Thursday, I was asked to appear on the Weather Channel’s new show, Weather Underground TV (WUTV).  As a personal weather station owner, we discussed the recent dramatic temperature fluctuations in the northeast, thoughts about the upcoming winter season, and even touched on climate. It went very quickly, but it was a great experience!

The show, co-hosted by Mike Bettes and Sarah Dillingham, covers breaking weather news, but also dives into the science behind the weather and the challenges of forecasting. With a bevy of experts from both the Weather Channel and Weather Underground on tap to discuss the topics of the day, the two-hour program is always interesting.  Simply put, it is must see TV for anyone interested in the “why’s” and “’how’s” of weather.

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Weather Gamut writer, Melissa Fleming, talks with Sarah Dillingham on WUTV, October 29, 2015

Video: Lightning Strikes Top of World Trade Center in NYC

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A thunderstorm rolled through New York City yesterday afternoon.  It brought the city 0.89 inches of rain and put on a spectacular light show.

Below is a short video of the storm by Max Guiliani, a local New Yorker, which captures the dramatic moment when lightning struck the top of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan.

Credit: Max Guiliani / Twitter

NYC Monthly Summary: September 2015

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Summer-like weather extended well into September in New York City this year. With an average temperature of 74.6°F, it was the city’s warmest September on record! It surpassed the previous record set in 1961 by 1.1°F.

Overall, we had twenty-seven out of thirty days with high temperatures above average. Six of those days posted readings in the 90s, including September 8th when the mercury soared to 97°F in Central Park, marking a new record high for the date. Typically, we only see one 90-degree day during September in NYC. Historically, our average temperature for the month is 68°F.

This extended period of warmth was produced by a persistent ridge in the jet stream over the eastern US. It allowed warm air from the south to flow further north than it normally would at this time of year.

In terms of precipitation, September was unusually dry and marked the third consecutive month that NYC received below average rainfall.  In all, we received 3.28 inches of rain, which is one inch below normal. The vast majority of this modest total fell on two separate days in the form of intense downpours. In fact, September 10th set a new daily rainfall record with 1.58 inches measured in Central Park. Nonetheless, despite these soakers, NYC remains in a moderate drought according the latest report (9/29) from the US Drought Monitor.

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NYC Monthly Summary: August 2015

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It was hot in New York City this August. Everyday produced a high temperature above 80°F and eight days saw the mercury climb to 90°F or higher, which is twice the average number for August. Additionally, the month brought the city its first official heat wave in two years. With overnight lows also running mostly above normal, the city’s mean temperature for the month was 79°F, which is 3.8°F above average. This makes August 2015 the city’s 3rd warmest August on record.

On the precipitation side of things, August was very dry in the Big Apple. All told, the city received a mere 2.35 inches of rain in Central Park, which is 2.09 inches below average. On the latest report (8/25) from the US Drought Monitor, the NYC area is listed as “abnormally dry”.

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First Heat Wave in NYC Since 2013

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It’s official! We’re having a heat wave in New York City.

While we have hit the 90°F mark a few times already this summer, this is the first real heat wave of the season. Actually, it is the first official heat wave in the Big Apple since 2013.

The threshold for what constitutes a heat wave varies by region, but here in the NYC area it is defined as three consecutive days with temperatures reaching 90°F or higher. In Central Park, the temperature reached 92°F on Saturday, 93°F on Sunday, and today it climbed to 95°F – tying the record high for the date.

When factoring in the high levels of humidity these past few days, the heat index felt like it was near 100°F. While these conditions are oppressive, they can also be dangerous. Both a heat advisory and air quality alerts were issued for the city.

For most of the summer, temperatures have been running slightly above average in NYC, but it is interesting to note that there has not been much extreme heat. To date, we have only had ten days with readings at or above 90°F. On average, we typically see fifteen for the season.

NYC Monthly Summary: July 2015

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July is normally the warmest month on the calendar for New York City, and this year was no exception. Despite getting off to a relatively cool start, the month brought us five days with temperatures in the 90s. These hot days helped bring the city’s mean temperature for the month up to 78.8°F, which is 2.3°F above average.

While we had a few stretches of very warm and humid days, including some where the heat index reached  the triple digits, it is interesting to note that we did not technically have a single heat wave all month. In this part of the US, a heat wave is defined as three consecutive days with temperatures reaching 90°F or higher.

On the precipitation side of things, NYC was mostly dry. In all, we received 3.98 inches of rain in Central Park, which is 0.62 inches below average. Of this total, 1.95 inches fell in a single day as a cold front moved through the area triggering thunderstorms and intense downpours.  July is typically the wettest month of the year in the Big Apple.

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Exploring the Urban Heat Island Effect Within City Limits

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During the summer months in New York City, you often hear people talking about plans to escape the city’s heat with trips to the beach or mountains. This is because NYC, like most large cities, is an urban heat island. With miles of paved surfaces that absorb heat, it is generally warmer than surrounding rural areas.

Within city limits, the temperature difference between an asphalt covered street and a nearby park lawn can demonstrate this phenomenon on a smaller scale. Below are some photos of measurements we made around midtown Manhattan at 2:30 PM this afternoon when the air temperature was 95°F.

On the street, the temperature was 122°F in the sun and 101°F in the shade. On the park lawn, only a few feet away, the temperature in the sun was 99°F and a relatively cool 85°F in the shade.  Hands down, the best place to beat the heat – even in the city – is on a grassy surface in the shade.  Stay cool!

Comparing temperatures of surfaces in sun and the shade around midtown Manhattan on July 29th.

Comparing temperatures of surfaces in the sun and the shade around midtown Manhattan on July 29th when the air temperature was 95°F .  Credit: The Weather Gamut.

NYC Monthly Summary: June 2015

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June 2015 felt a bit like a weather rollercoaster in New York City. We had highs that ranged from an unseasonably cool 55°F to our first 90-degree day of the year.  In the end, however, the cold and warmth averaged each other out. The city’s mean temperature for the month was 71.2°F, which is only 0.2°F below normal.

On the precipitation side of things, the city had 14 days with measurable rainfall.  In all, we received 4.79 inches of rain, which is 0.38 inches above normal. Of this total, 1.41 inches fell in a heavy rain event during the last weekend of the month. June marked the first time since March that the city had above average monthly rainfall.

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NYC Monthly Summary: May 2015

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May was unusually warm and dry in New York City this year.

With 26 out of 31 days posting above average highs, including 18 days with readings in the 80s, May felt more like summer than spring. Overnight lows were also well above average throughout most of the month. All together, the city’s mean temperature for the month was 68.5°F, which is 6.1°F above average.  That makes May 2015 the city’s 3rd warmest May on record.

In terms of precipitation, May was exceptionally dry. Coming on the heels of a parched April, the city, according to the latest report (5/28) from the US Drought Monitor, is currently in a state of moderate drought. All told, the city received a mere 1.86 inches of rain in Central Park. Of this meager total, 1.46 inches fell in a single day – the last day of the month – and caused localized flash floods. May, on average, typically brings NYC 4.19 inches of rain.

Graph Credit: The Weather Gamut

Graph Credit: The Weather Gamut

Graph Credit: The Weather Gamut

Graph Credit: The Weather Gamut

An Early Taste of Summer for NYC

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The official start of summer is more than a month away, but temperatures have been soaring in New York City!

A large ridge in the jet stream has ushered unseasonably warm air into the region. In fact, eight of the last twelve days have seen temperatures reach well into the 80s. Today, the mercury soared to 86°F in Central Park, making it the warmest day of the year to date. Our normal high for this time of year is 70°F.

While the pre-season warmth can be easy to acclimate to, especially after a cold and snowy winter, these summer-like conditions are not expected to last much longer. A cold front is forecast to move through the region late tonight sending temperatures back to more seasonable levels.