Warmest stretch of year finally arrives in Boston area, just in time for fall
By Terry Eliasen, Meteorologist, WBZ-TV Exec. Weather Producer
BOSTON - I don't know about you, but for me, Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer. It is time to get back into the old routines. Bus Stop in the morning, sitting in commuter traffic, 5-day work weeks... back to the grind.
But it's ok, right? Some routine is a good thing. Typically, by now, we have had our fill of those hot, lazy, summer days at the beach. We are ready for some cool, crisp, fall air, some apple cider and pumpkin spiced lattes.
But this year has been anything but typical. Our summer was soured by near record amounts of rainfall, wildfire smoke from Canada and a pattern that often brought the worst weather on the weekends.
Strictly by the numbers, this was the second wettest summer on record in Boston and Worcester, only beaten by the summer of 1955 (thanks to two major hurricanes). It was also the coolest summer in Boston and at the Blue Hill Observatory in Milton since 2009.
Now, as we turn the page to the fall season, wouldn't you know it - days of sunshine and temperatures near or surpassing 90 degrees. Thanks for nothing Mother Nature.
Tuesday is the fourth straight day surpassing 80 degrees in Boston and we are likely headed for at least 9 days, if not more. We haven't had a streak like that all summer long. The most consecutive days of 80+ was 7 back in July.
It will feel even hotter given the very high humidity this week. Dew points will be pinned in the 65-to-75 degree range right through the upcoming weekend. That is mid-summer kind of stuff.
For that reason, heat advisories have been posted in parts of southern New England and may be extended eastward later this week.
Believe it or not, we only had one other heat advisory issued all summer - back on July 27-28 when Boston hit 90 and 91 degrees.
Local sea breezes will keep Boston a tad cooler for most of the week but inland areas will approach some record highs.
And, let's face it, we haven't sniffed anything close to record high temperatures yet this summer. In fact, Boston hasn't gotten above 91 degrees this year! The last time that occurred was back in 1996!
The city has touched 90 just four times this year, the lowest amount to date in 20 years.
So, welcome to summer 2023, part 2. It felt like such a short season this year, perhaps this will help to satisfy any leftover summer cravings.
Pumpkin ice cream anyone?