Lots of superlatives for yesterday's heat! Five of the six climate sites in the region set record highs. The only station to not hit a record was JFK, which only hit 91 thanks to a "cool" breeze off the ocean. The 97 degree high in Central Park made yesterday our warmest day in more than two years and the hottest September day since 1983.
This is also the second year in a row that our hottest day was in September. The temperature has hit 90 five times this month, which is four days more than normal. There is a good chance we'll hit 90 again today, and with dew points in the lower 70s we can't rule out a stray thunderstorm.
Our record streak of hitting 80 degrees is up to 62 days. The end of that streak is growing near, possibly coming as soon as tomorrow and almost certainly by early next week. A pretty strong cold front is rapidly approaching from the west and that will give us a cloudy, rainy Thursday, with the thick clouds holding the temperature to the upper 70s or lower 80s. Showers and thunderstorms are likely after midnight tonight through Friday morning. Some of that rain could be heavy, especially Thursday evening.
Once the front passes and the rain stops on Friday we will get a brief break from the humidity. The sun will return Friday afternoon and we should warm to near 80. Saturday will feature a mix of sun and clouds and will again warm to near 80. Look for showers to return on Sunday as a low pressure system moves up the coast. Sunday and Monday will probably only reach the upper 70s.
