Make sure to have your ice cubes and portable fans nearby at all times this summer, as the National Weather Service predicts that much of the U.S. will see above-average temperatures from June to August.
The seasonal outlook comes as the official start of summer is less than a month away, and the NWS shared in its outlook that the entire country has a chance of seeing above-normal temperatures, though some more than others.
Two states that have the greatest chance of seeing high temps are Arizona and New Mexico, with the NWS reporting there to be a 69% chance temperatures exceed averages in parts of the states throughout the summer.
Other parts of the country with a 50%-60% chance of seeing above-average temperatures include parts of Colorado, Utah, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and much of the East Coast.
The NWS says that for the west coast and parts of the Appalachians, temperatures are “leaning” towards being above average for the summer, while the Midwest could go either way.
Along with the heat comes the weather service’s predictions for precipitation.
It’s still up in the air for most of the country when it comes to seeing above or below-average precipitation levels, but the East Coast and southern parts of the country have the greatest chance of seeing a wetter-than-normal summer.
On the other side of the country, New Mexico, Arizona, and Washington state all have the best chances of seeing less rain than usual this summer.
The predictions come a year after the U.S. experienced its third warmest summer on record in 2022. The extreme heat caused several issues throughout the western parts of the country, with water levels reaching record low levels and extreme drought conditions being declared for large chunks of California.
But this year’s warm weather isn’t the only concern. The NWS predictions come on the heels of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast which said there was a 90% chance of an El Niño weather event occurring this summer.
An El Niño weather event, where the ocean surface is warmed, could have a direct impact on temperatures rising even further in 2024, NOAA shared.
The United Nations has also addressed recent rising temperatures, reporting that it is nearly certain 2023 to 2027 will be the warmest five-year period ever recorded.
The UN’s World Meteorological Organization warns that there is a two-thirds chance that one of the next five years will see global temperatures pass the targets set out in the Paris climate accords, 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial average temperatures, on top of setting new records in warmth overall.
“There is a 98% likelihood that at least one of the next five years, and the five-year period as a whole, will be the warmest on record,” the WMO said.
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