donsutherland1

With bright sunshine and temperatures in the middle 70s, the New York Botanical Garden is nearing summer form.

Morning thoughts… Today will be partly sunny and warm. High temperatures will reach the upper 70s and lower 80s in much of the region. Likely high temperatures around the region include: New York City (Central Park): 79° Newark: 82° Philadelphia: 84° Tomorrow will be fair and very warm. Normals: New York City: 30-Year: 74.6°; 15-Year: 75.1° Newark: 30-Year: 76.2°; 15-Year: 76.9° Philadelphia: 30-Year: 77.9°; 15-Year: 78.5°

The odds increasingly favor a persistent La Niña. We’ll probably see a 3rd consecutive La Niña winter. By mid-summer, the guidance will be in a range where one can have good confidence in the forecast outcome.

Tomorrow will be partly sunny and seasonably warm. Much warmer air will move into the region for Monday and Tuesday before another cold front breaks the short warm spell. Much above normal temperatures will likely persist from Philadelphia southward in the Middle Atlantic region through the middle of next week. Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, Galveston has an implied near 100% probability of recording its warmest May on record. Galveston will likely finish with a monthly mean temperature near 82.7°. The existing record is 80.4°, which was set in 2018. Galveston has already recorded its most 90° high temperatures and 80° low temperatures on record for May. Some of the guidance has suggested that June could be warmer than normal in the Middle Atlantic and New England areas. The latest EPS weeklies suggest otherwise. The ECMWF seasonal forecast indicates that the summer will be warmer than normal throughout the region and across much of North America. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -1.5°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -1.1°C for the week centered around May 18. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -1.65°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -1.07°C. La Niña conditions will likely persist into the start of June. The SOI was +13.50 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was -0.360 today. On May 26 the MJO was in Phase 5 at an amplitude of 0.805 (RMM). The May 25-adjusted amplitude was 0.187 (RMM). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 95% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal May (1991-2020 normal). May will likely finish with a mean temperature near 64.1° (0.9° above normal).

Some photos:

Some very small hail in Larchmont, NY.

Tomorrow will be variably cloudy with some showers and thundershowers. Temperatures will reach the middle or upper 70s across the region. Some locations could again approach or reach 80°. Following a seasonably warm weekend, much warmer air will move into the region early next week. Overall, the second half of the month will likely be warmer than normal and there remains some possibility of an overall warm monthly outcome. The potential also exists for several very warm to perhaps hot days. Galveston saw the temperature reach 93° today. That broke the daily record of 90°, which was set in 1922. Galveston has now had 6 90° or above days this month. The old May record of 4 days was set in 2011. Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, Galveston has an implied near 100% probability of recording its warmest May on record. Galveston will likely finish with a monthly mean temperature ranging from 82.3° to 82.8°. The existing record is 80.4°, which was set in 2018. Galveston has already recorded its most 90° high temperatures and 80° low temperatures on record for May. Some of the guidance has suggested that June could be warmer than normal in the Middle Atlantic and New England areas. The latest EPS weeklies suggest otherwise. The ECMWF seasonal forecast indicates that the summer will be warmer than normal throughout the region and across much of North America. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -1.5°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -1.1°C for the week centered around May 18. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -1.65°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -1.07°C. La Niña conditions will likely persist into the start of June. The SOI was +3.92 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was +0.394 today. On May 25 the MJO was in Phase 5 at an amplitude of 0.185 (RMM). The May 24-adjusted amplitude was 0.463 (RMM). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 90% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal May (1991-2020 normal). May will likely finish with a mean temperature near 64.1° (0.9° above normal).

Those charts have issues, not just for NYC (which is often too hot). Galveston is typically shown 3-5 degrees too cool e.g., it shows GLS in the low 80s today when the high will probably be in the vicinity of 88-89.

Morning thoughts… Today will be mostly cloudy with some showers and thundershowers. It will turn warmer. High temperatures will reach the upper 70s with a few lower 80s, especially in southern New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania. Likely high temperatures around the region include: New York City (Central Park): 77° Newark: 80° Philadelphia: 81° Showers and thundershowers are likely tomorrow. It will turn warmer. Normals: New York City: 30-Year: 74.1°; 15-Year: 74.6° Newark: 30-Year: 75.6°; 15-Year: 76.3° Philadelphia: 30-Year: 77.3°; 15-Year: 77.9°

This is becoming a more frequent occurrence. Galveston also smashed its December record.

Tomorrow and Saturday will be mainly cloudy with some showers and thundershowers. Temperatures will reach the middle or upper 70s across the region. Following a seasonably warm weekend, much warmer air will move into the region early next week. Overall, the second half of the month will likely be warmer than normal and there remains some possibility of an overall warm monthly outcome. The potential also exists for several very warm to perhaps hot days. Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, Galveston has an implied 99% probability of recording its warmest May on record. Galveston will likely finish with a monthly mean temperature ranging from 82.2° to 82.8°. The existing record is 80.4°, which was set in 2018. Galveston has already recorded its most 90° high temperatures and 80° low temperatures on record for May. Some of the guidance has suggested that June could be warmer than normal in the Middle Atlantic and New England areas. The latest EPS weeklies suggest otherwise. The ECMWF seasonal forecast indicates that the summer will be warmer than normal throughout the region and across much of North America. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -1.5°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -1.1°C for the week centered around May 18. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -1.65°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -1.07°C. La Niña conditions will likely persist into the start of June. The SOI was +11.36 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was +1.212 today. On May 24 the MJO was in Phase 2 at an amplitude of 0.463 (RMM). The May 23-adjusted amplitude was 0.760 (RMM). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 86% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal May (1991-2020 normal). May will likely finish with a mean temperature near 63.9° (0.7° above normal).

Morning thoughts… Today will be variably cloudy and still cool for the season. A shower is possible during the evening. High temperatures will reach the upper 60s and lower 70s in most of the region. Likely high temperatures around the region include: New York City (Central Park): 70° Newark: 71° Philadelphia: 74° Showers and thundershowers are likely tomorrow. It will turn warmer. Normals: New York City: 30-Year: 73.8°; 15-Year: 74.4° Newark: 30-Year: 75.3°; 15-Year: 76.1° Philadelphia: 30-Year: 77.1°; 15-Year: 77.7°

Tomorrow and Friday will be unsettled days with some showers and thundershowers, especially on Friday. Temperatures will reach the upper 60s and lower 70s tomorrow and then warm up on Friday. Following a seasonably warm weekend, much warmer air will move into the region early next week. Overall, the second half of the month will likely be warmer than normal and there remains some possibility of an overall warm monthly outcome. The potential also exists for several very warm to perhaps hot days. Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, Galveston has an implied 97% probability of recording its warmest May on record. Galveston will likely finish with a monthly mean temperature ranging from 82.0° to 82.8°. The existing record is 80.4°, which was set in 2018. Galveston has already recorded its most 90° high temperatures and 80° low temperatures on record for May. Some of the guidance has suggested that June could be warmer than normal in the Middle Atlantic and New England areas. The latest EPS weeklies suggest otherwise. The ECMWF seasonal forecast indicates that the summer will be warmer than normal throughout the region and across much of North America. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -1.5°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -1.1°C for the week centered around May 18. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -1.65°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -1.07°C. La Niña conditions will likely persist into the start of June. The SOI was +25.45 today. The old record was +19.32, which was set in 2018. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was +1.735 today. On May 23 the MJO was in Phase 2 at an amplitude of 0.814 (RMM). The May 22-adjusted amplitude was 0.742 (RMM). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 69% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal May (1991-2020 normal). May will likely finish with a mean temperature near 63.7° (0.5° above normal).

Morning thoughts… Today will be partly sunny. It will be cool for the season. High temperatures will reach the upper 60s and lower 70s in most of the region. Likely high temperatures around the region include: New York City (Central Park): 70° Newark: 71° Philadelphia: 74° Cool weather will persist through Thursday. Normals: New York City: 30-Year: 73.6°; 15-Year: 74.2° Newark: 30-Year: 75.0°; 15-Year: 75.8° Philadelphia: 30-Year: 76.8°; 15-Year: 77.4°

Tomorrow will be another unseasonably cool day. High temperatures could top out in the upper 60s in parts of the northern Middle Atlantic region tomorrow. Overall, the second half of the month will likely be warmer than normal and there remains some possibility of an overall warm monthly outcome. The potential also exists for several very warm to perhaps hot days. Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, Galveston has an implied 97% probability of recording its warmest May on record. Galveston will likely finish with a monthly mean temperature ranging from 82.3° to 82.9°. The existing record is 80.4°, which was set in 2018. Galveston has already recorded its most 90° high temperatures and 80° low temperatures on record for May. Some of the guidance has suggested that June could be warmer than normal in the Middle Atlantic and New England areas. The latest EPS weeklies suggest otherwise. The ECMWF seasonal forecast indicates that the summer will be warmer than normal throughout the region and across much of North America. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -1.5°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -1.1°C for the week centered around May 18. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -1.65°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -1.07°C. La Niña conditions will likely persist into the start of June. The SOI was +33.57 today. That smashed the daily record of +14.27 from 2011. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was +1.824 today. On May 22 the MJO was in Phase 1 at an amplitude of 0.744 (RMM). The May 21-adjusted amplitude was 1.047 (RMM). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 64% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal May (1991-2020 normal). May will likely finish with a mean temperature near 63.7° (0.5° above normal).

Morning thoughts… Today will become partly sunny. It will be unseasonably cool. High temperatures will reach the upper 60s and lower 70s in most of the region. Likely high temperatures around the region include: New York City (Central Park): 68° Newark: 71° Philadelphia: 70° Cool weather will persist through Thursday. Normals: New York City: 30-Year: 73.3°; 15-Year: 74.0° Newark: 30-Year: 74.7°; 15-Year: 75.6° Philadelphia: 30-Year: 76.5°; 15-Year: 77.1°

Cooler air continues to spill into the region. High temperatures could top out in the upper 60s in parts of the northern Middle Atlantic region tomorrow and Wednesday. Overall, the second half of the month will likely be warmer than normal and there remains some possibility of an overall warm monthly outcome. The potential also exists for several very warm to perhaps hot days. Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, Galveston has an implied 95% probability of recording its warmest May on record. Galveston will likely finish with a monthly mean temperature ranging from 82.3° to 82.9°. The existing record is 80.4°, which was set in 2018. Galveston has already recorded its most 90° high temperatures and 80° low temperatures on record for May. Some of the guidance has suggested that June could be warmer than normal in the Middle Atlantic and New England areas. The latest EPS weeklies suggest otherwise. The ECMWF seasonal forecast indicates that the summer will be warmer than normal throughout the region and across much of North America. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -1.5°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -1.1°C for the week centered around May 18. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -1.65°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -1.07°C. La Niña conditions will likely persist into the start of June. The SOI was +22.69 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was +1.594 today. On May 21 the MJO was in Phase 8 at an amplitude of 1.045 (RMM). The May 20-adjusted amplitude was 1.323 (RMM). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 66% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal May (1991-2020 normal). May will likely finish with a mean temperature near 63.7° (0.5° above normal).

Morning thoughts… Today will be variably cloudy and noticeably cooler. High temperatures will reach the lower and middle 70s in most of the region. Likely high temperatures around the region include: New York City (Central Park): 74° Newark: 77° Philadelphia: 77° Cool weather will persist through Thursday. Normals: New York City: 30-Year: 73.1°; 15-Year: 73.8° Newark: 30-Year: 74.4°; 15-Year: 75.3° Philadelphia: 30-Year: 76.2°; 15-Year: 76.9°

Jacobobad, Pakistan.

At 6 pm, a line of thunderstorms stretched from near Washington, DC to Reading. That line was pushing eastward. North of there, there were scattered thunderstorms. As a result, parts of the region could see an evening thunderstorm as the cold front moves across the region. Behind the cold front, a much cooler air mass will overspread the region. During the middle of next week, high temperatures could struggle just to reach 70° in parts of the northern Middle Atlantic region. Overall, the second half of the month will likely be warmer than normal and there remains some possibility of an overall warm monthly outcome. The potential also exists for several very warm to perhaps hot days. The ECMWF seasonal forecast indicates that the summer will be warmer than normal throughout the region and across much of North America. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -1.4°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -1.1°C for the week centered around May 11. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -1.57°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -1.03°C. La Niña conditions will likely persist into the start of June. The SOI was +9.06 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was +0.751 today. On May 20 the MJO was in Phase 8 at an amplitude of 1.321 (RMM). The May 19-adjusted amplitude was 1.304 (RMM). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 66% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal May (1991-2020 normal). May will likely finish with a mean temperature near 63.7° (0.5° above normal).

Morning thoughts… Today will be partly sunny and hot. High temperatures will likely reach the lower 80s along the Connecticut shore to lower 90s in parts of New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania. Likely high temperatures around the region include: New York City (Central Park): 89° Newark: 93° Philadelphia: 92° Noticeably cooler weather will return tomorrow. Normals: New York City: 30-Year: 72.8°; 15-Year: 73.6° Newark: 30-Year: 74.2°; 15-Year: 75.1° Philadelphia: 30-Year: 75.9°; 15-Year: 76.6°

124 is the highest so far in the Northern Hemisphere.

Much of the region sizzled under near record to record heat. High temperatures included: Albany: 92° (tied record set in 1941) Atlantic City: 93° (tied record set in 1996) Baltimore: 95° Islip: 90° (tied record set in 1996) New York City-JFK: 87° New York City-LGA: 91° New York City-NYC: 90° Newark: 95° Philadelphia: 95° (tied record set in 1934) Richmond: 95° (old record: 93°, 1934 and 1962) Scranton: 90° Sterling, VA: 92° (tied record set in 1996) Washington, DC: 92° Wilmington, DE: 95° (tied record set in 1996) Worcester: 88° (tied record set in 1975) New York City's first 80° or above temperature of the year was 90°. Only 1918, 1927, and 2010 saw 90° or above readings as Central Park's first 80° or above temperature. Records go back to 1869. Islip also saw its first 80° or above temperature of the year with a high of 90°. Only 1969 saw the first 80° temperature wind up as the first 90° or above temperature. Records go back to 1963. In Europe, Andujar, Spain recorded its second consecutive high of 107° in what is unprecedented May heat. The historic spring heat also continued in parts of India and Pakistan. Jacobabad reached 120° for the third consecutive day. Tomorrow will be another hot day. Areas on the immediate coastline where sea breezes occur may remain much cooler than interior sections. New York City and Newark could again see the mercury rise into the upper 80s and lower 90s. Thunderstorms are possible late in the day and during the evening as a cold front moves across the region. Behind the cold front, a much cooler air mass will overspread the region. During the middle of next week, high temperatures could struggle just to reach 70° in parts of the northern Middle Atlantic region. Overall, the second half of the month will likely be warmer than normal and there remains some possibility of an overall warm monthly outcome. The potential also exists for several very warm to perhaps hot days. The ECMWF seasonal forecast indicates that the summer will be warmer than normal throughout the region and across much of North America. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -1.4°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -1.1°C for the week centered around May 11. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -1.57°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -1.03°C. La Niña conditions will likely persist into the start of June. The SOI was +6.34 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was +0.427 today. On May 19 the MJO was in Phase 8 at an amplitude of 1.303 (RMM). The May 18-adjusted amplitude was 1.261 (RMM). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 57% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal May (1991-2020 normal). May will likely finish with a mean temperature near 63.6° (0.4° above normal).

The temperature soared into the 90s in much of the NYC region. At the New York Botanical Garden, there was a wine festival and farmer’s market.

The issue usually becomes apparent around 2 pm during the summer and a little later during late May-early June.