donsutherland1

Temperatures again rose into the upper 80s and lower 90s across the region. A few areas saw thunderstorms. Drought-stricken Boston, which had its lowest May 1-August 25 rainfall on record, picked up 0.41" of rain. The remainder of August will likely see generally above normal temperatures. Additional 90° or above days are possible in parts of the region. The ECMWF seasonal forecast indicates that the summer will be warmer than normal throughout the region and across much of North America. Based on how the pattern has been evolving during the spring transition to summer, it is more likely than not that the warmest anomalies of the summer will likely occur in July and August with June being the coolest of the three months in the Northeast. In addition, in the 6 past cases when the June AO averaged +0.750 or above (1950-2021), 67% of the following August and September cases featured above normal temperatures. The August ECMWF forecast shows a warmer than normal September in the Northeast. This warmth would be consistent with the ongoing warming that has been occurring in September. On August 18, the SOI fell to -32.90. Since 1991, there were 8 cases when the SOI fell to -30 or below during the August 10-25 period. That outcome has often preceded a wetter than normal September in parts of the Northeast. Mean September rainfall figures for those 8 cases: Boston: 4.38" (normal: 3.55"); New York City: 5.08" (normal: 4.31"); and, Philadelphia: 5.12" (normal: 4.40"). Very wet years outnumbered very dry ones by a 2:1 ratio in Boston and 3:1 ratio in both New York City and Philadelphia. 63% of cases saw at least one day with 1" or more rainfall in Boston. 88% saw at least one day with 1" or more in New York City and Philadelphia. 50% of those cases saw at least one day with 2" or more daily rainfall in Philadelphia. In sum, the SOI may be offering a signal that there will be some drought relief for the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England regions in September. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -0.8°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -1.2°C for the week centered around August 10. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.83°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.88°C. La Niña conditions will likely persist through the fall. The SOI was -5.64 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was -0.210 today. On August 24 the MJO was in Phase 2 at an amplitude of 1.647 (RMM). The August 23-adjusted amplitude was 1.586 (RMM). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied near 100% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal August (1991-2020 normal). August will likely finish with a mean temperature near 79.2° (3.1° above normal). Finally, on August 25, Arctic sea ice extent was 5.174 million square kilometers (JAXA). There is an implied 95% probability that Arctic sea ice extent will reach a minimum figure below 5.000 million square kilometers for the 13th consecutive year. The highest 25% bound is 4.791 million square kilometers. The lowest 25% bound is 4.486 million square kilometers.

Morning thoughts… It will be partly cloudy and very warm. High temperatures will reach the upper 80s and lower 90s in most of the region. Likely high temperatures around the region include: New York City (Central Park): 89° Newark: 91° Philadelphia: 92° The remainder of August will likely see generally warmer than normal conditions. Normals: New York City: 30-Year: 82.1°; 15-Year: 81.9° Newark: 30-Year: 83.5°; 15-Year: 83.4° Philadelphia: 30-Year: 84.6°; 15-Year: 84.3°

Information without context is meaningless. And relying on a 46-day forecast can be risky. Here's how things actually turned out: the warmth was a lot more widespread.

Today was another hot day. Many locations from New York City to Philadelphia saw the temperature soar to 90° or above. The remainder of August will likely see generally above normal temperatures. Additional 90° or above days are possible in parts of the region. The ECMWF seasonal forecast indicates that the summer will be warmer than normal throughout the region and across much of North America. Based on how the pattern has been evolving during the spring transition to summer, it is more likely than not that the warmest anomalies of the summer will likely occur in July and August with June being the coolest of the three months in the Northeast. In addition, in the 6 past cases when the June AO averaged +0.750 or above (1950-2021), 67% of the following August and September cases featured above normal temperatures. The August ECMWF forecast shows a warmer than normal September in the Northeast. This warmth would be consistent with the ongoing warming that has been occurring in September. On August 18, the SOI fell to -32.90. Since 1991, there were 8 cases when the SOI fell to -30 or below during the August 10-25 period. That outcome has often preceded a wetter than normal September in parts of the Northeast. Mean September rainfall figures for those 8 cases: Boston: 4.38" (normal: 3.55"); New York City: 5.08" (normal: 4.31"); and, Philadelphia: 5.12" (normal: 4.40"). Very wet years outnumbered very dry ones by a 2:1 ratio in Boston and 3:1 ratio in both New York City and Philadelphia. 63% of cases saw at least one day with 1" or more rainfall in Boston. 88% saw at least one day with 1" or more in New York City and Philadelphia. 50% of those cases saw at least one day with 2" or more daily rainfall in Philadelphia. In sum, the SOI may be offering a signal that there will be some drought relief for the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England regions in September. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -0.8°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -1.2°C for the week centered around August 10. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.83°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.88°C. La Niña conditions will likely persist through the fall. The SOI was -9.04 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was -0.728 today. On August 23 the MJO was in Phase 2 at an amplitude of 1.586 (RMM). The August 22-adjusted amplitude was 1.229 (RMM). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied near 100% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal August (1991-2020 normal). August will likely finish with a mean temperature near 79.1° (3.0° above normal).

Morning thoughts… It will be partly cloudy and hot. High temperatures will reach the upper 80s and lower 90s in most of the region. Likely high temperatures around the region include: New York City (Central Park): 90° Newark: 92° Philadelphia: 91° The remainder of August will likely see generally warmer than normal conditions. Normals: New York City: 30-Year: 82.3°; 15-Year: 82.0° Newark: 30-Year: 83.6°; 15-Year: 83.6° Philadelphia: 30-Year: 84.8°; 15-Year: 84.0°

Temperatures in the region reached the upper 80s and lower 90s. New York City, Newark, and New York City all reached 90°. The remainder of August will likely see generally above normal temperatures. Additional 90° or above days are possible in parts of the region. At Tampa, the mercury reached 95°. That tied the daily record set in 1975 and tied in 2014 and 2019. More impressively, it was Tampa's 25th such temperature this year. That broke the longstanding annual record of 24 days, which had stood since 1990. With Tampa's 30-year mean summer temperature having exceeded 82.5°, more than half of recent summers have exceeded the 90th percentile for heat. The ECMWF seasonal forecast indicates that the summer will be warmer than normal throughout the region and across much of North America. Based on how the pattern has been evolving during the spring transition to summer, it is more likely than not that the warmest anomalies of the summer will likely occur in July and August with June being the coolest of the three months in the Northeast. In addition, in the 6 past cases when the June AO averaged +0.750 or above (1950-2021), 67% of the following August and September cases featured above normal temperatures. The August ECMWF forecast shows a warmer than normal September in the Northeast. This warmth would be consistent with the ongoing warming that has been occurring in September. On August 18, the SOI fell to -32.90. Since 1991, there were 8 cases when the SOI fell to -30 or below during the August 10-25 period. That outcome has often preceded a wetter than normal September in parts of the Northeast. Mean September rainfall figures for those 8 cases: Boston: 4.38" (normal: 3.55"); New York City: 5.08" (normal: 4.31"); and, Philadelphia: 5.12" (normal: 4.40"). Very wet years outnumbered very dry ones by a 2:1 ratio in Boston and 3:1 ratio in both New York City and Philadelphia. 63% of cases saw at least one day with 1" or more rainfall in Boston. 88% saw at least one day with 1" or more in New York City and Philadelphia. 50% of those cases saw at least one day with 2" or more daily rainfall in Philadelphia. In sum, the SOI may be offering a signal that there will be some drought relief for the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England regions in September. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -0.8°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -1.2°C for the week centered around August 10. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.83°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.88°C. La Niña conditions will likely persist through the fall. The SOI was +5.58 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was -0.786 today. On August 22 the MJO was in Phase 2 at an amplitude of 1.237 (RMM). The August 21-adjusted amplitude was 1.078 (RMM). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied near 100% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal August (1991-2020 normal). August will likely finish with a mean temperature near 79.0° (2.9° above normal).

The years are: 1991, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2015, and 2018.

Morning thoughts… It will be partly cloudy and very warm. A shower or thundershower is possible. High temperatures will reach the upper 80s and lower 90s in most of the region. Likely high temperatures around the region include: New York City (Central Park): 88° Newark: 91° Philadelphia: 91° The remainder of August will likely see generally warmer than normal conditions. Normals: New York City: 30-Year: 82.5°; 15-Year: 82.2° Newark: 30-Year: 83.8°; 15-Year: 83.8° Philadelphia: 30-Year: 85.0°; 15-Year: 84.6°

Temperatures rebounded into the middle and upper 80s today with the return of sunshine. The remainder of August will likely see generally above normal temperatures. Addional 90° or above days ae possible in parts of the region. Out West, Salt Lake City reached 100° for the 25th time this year. The old record was 21 days. That record was set in 1960 and tied in 1994 and 2021. During 1961-1990, Salt Lake City averaged 5.2 100° days per year. During 1991-2020, that figure had increased to 7.6 days. The most recent 30-year period (1993-2022) is averaging 8.9 such days per year. The ECMWF seasonal forecast indicates that the summer will be warmer than normal throughout the region and across much of North America. Based on how the pattern has been evolving during the spring transition to summer, it is more likely than not that the warmest anomalies of the summer will likely occur in July and August with June being the coolest of the three months in the Northeast. In addition, in the 6 past cases when the June AO averaged +0.750 or above (1950-2021), 67% of the following August and September cases featured above normal temperatures. The August ECMWF forecast shows a warmer than normal September in the Northeast. This warmth would be consistent with the ongoing warming that has been occurring in September. On August 18, the SOI fell to -32.90. Since 1991, there were 8 cases when the SOI fell to -30 or below during the August 10-25 period. That outcome has often preceded a wetter than normal September in parts of the Northeast. Mean September rainfall figures for those 8 cases: Boston: 4.38" (normal: 3.55"); New York City: 5.08" (normal: 4.31"); and, Philadelphia: 5.12" (normal: 4.40"). Very wet years outnumbered very dry ones by a 2:1 ratio in Boston and 3:1 ratio in both New York City and Philadelphia. 63% of cases saw at least one day with 1" or more rainfall in Boston. 88% saw at least one day with 1" or more in New York City and Philadelphia. 50% of those cases saw at least one day with 2" or more daily rainfall in Philadelphia. In sum, the SOI may be offering a signal that there will be some drought relief for the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England regions in September. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -0.8°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -1.2°C for the week centered around August 10. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.83°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.88°C. La Niña conditions will likely persist through the fall. The SOI was +16.81 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was -0.713 today. On August 21 the MJO was in Phase 1 at an amplitude of 1.079 (RMM). The August 20-adjusted amplitude was 0.826 (RMM). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 99% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal August (1991-2020 normal). August will likely finish with a mean temperature near 78.9° (2.8° above normal).

Morning thoughts… It will be partly cloudy and warmer. A shower or thundershower is possible. High temperatures will reach the middle and upper 80s in most of the region. Likely high temperatures around the region include: New York City (Central Park): 84° Newark: 88° Philadelphia: 88° The remainder of August will likely see generally warmer than normal conditions. Normals: New York City: 30-Year: 82.6°; 15-Year: 82.3° Newark: 30-Year: 84.0°; 15-Year: 84.0° Philadelphia: 30-Year: 85.1°; 15-Year: 84.7°

Some statistics from Dallas-Fort Worth's extreme rain event: - One-day total: 5.66" (new August record & 5th highest daily figure) - Two-day total: 9.19" (new August 2- and 3-day record; 4th highest 2-day total) - Hourly rainfall: 3.01" (new hourly record)

Tomorrow will see additional showers and thunderstorms. Much of the region remains on track for two-day rainfall of 0.50"-1.00" with locally higher amounts through tomorrow. Long Island could wind up on the drier side. Out West, Dallas-Fort Worth picked up 5.66" rain today. That set a new August record and was the 5th highest daily figure on record. Two-day rainfall of 9.19" surpassed the August monthly two-day record (6.95", August 17-18, 1915) and 3-day record (7.04", August 17-19, 1915) and was the 4th highest on record. The ECMWF seasonal forecast indicates that the summer will be warmer than normal throughout the region and across much of North America. Based on how the pattern has been evolving during the spring transition to summer, it is more likely than not that the warmest anomalies of the summer will likely occur in July and August with June being the coolest of the three months in the Northeast. In addition, in the 6 past cases when the June AO averaged +0.750 or above (1950-2021), 67% of the following August and September cases featured above normal temperatures. The August ECMWF forecast shows a warmer than normal September in the Northeast. This warmth would be consistent with the ongoing warming that has been occurring in September. On August 18, the SOI fell to -32.90. Since 1991, there were 8 cases when the SOI fell to -30 or below during the August 10-25 period. That outcome has often preceded a wetter than normal September in parts of the Northeast. Mean September rainfall figures for those 8 cases: Boston: 4.38" (normal: 3.55"); New York City: 5.08" (normal: 4.31"); and, Philadelphia: 5.12" (normal: 4.40"). Very wet years outnumbered very dry ones by a 2:1 ratio in Boston and 3:1 ratio in both New York City and Philadelphia. 63% of cases saw at least one day with 1" or more rainfall in Boston. 88% saw at least one day with 1" or more in New York City and Philadelphia. 50% of those cases saw at least one day with 2" or more daily rainfall in Philadelphia. In sum, the SOI may be offering a signal that there will be some drought relief for the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England regions in September. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -0.8°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -1.2°C for the week centered around August 10. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.83°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.88°C. La Niña conditions will likely persist through the fall. The SOI was +12.68 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was -0.574 today. On August 20 the MJO was in Phase 1 at an amplitude of 0.827 (RMM). The August 19-adjusted amplitude was 0.600 (RMM). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 97% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal August (1991-2020 normal). August will likely finish with a mean temperature near 78.7° (2.6° above normal).

Earlier, an hourly record 3.01” of rain fell at Dallas-Fort Worth. Hourly records go back to 1953.

Through 10:00 am CDT, Dallas-Fort Worth has picked up 4.36" of rain. That smashes the daily record of 2.47" for August 22nd, which was set in 1916. It also surpasses the August daily record of 4.28", which was set on August 28, 1946. The 2-day total of 7.89” also surpasses the 2- and 3-day records for August.

Morning thoughts… It will be partly to mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms. Heavy downpours are possible. High temperatures will reach the upper 70s and lower 80s in most of the region. Likely high temperatures around the region include: New York City (Central Park): 78° Newark: 81° Philadelphia: 84° Tomorrow will see additional showers and thunderstorms. Some of the rain will be heavy. Normals: New York City: 30-Year: 82.8°; 15-Year: 82.5° Newark: 30-Year: 84.1°; 15-Year: 84.1° Philadelphia: 30-Year: 85.2°; 15-Year: 84.9°

Unsettled weather is likely early this week. Showers and thundershowers will bring some welcome relief from the emergent drought. Much of the region will likely see total rainfall of 0.50"-1.00" with locally higher amounts through Tuesday. Much of the second half of August could see above to much above normal temperatures in the Pacific Northwest. The ECMWF seasonal forecast indicates that the summer will be warmer than normal throughout the region and across much of North America. Based on how the pattern has been evolving during the spring transition to summer, it is more likely than not that the warmest anomalies of the summer will likely occur in July and August with June being the coolest of the three months in the Northeast. In addition, in the 6 past cases when the June AO averaged +0.750 or above (1950-2021), 67% of the following August and September cases featured above normal temperatures. The August ECMWF forecast shows a warmer than normal September in the Northeast. This warmth would be consistent with the ongoing warming that has been occurring in September. On August 18, the SOI fell to -32.90. Since 1991, there were 8 cases when the SOI fell to -30 or below during the August 10-25 period. That outcome has often preceded a wetter than normal September in parts of the Northeast. Mean September rainfall figures for those 8 cases: Boston: 4.38" (normal: 3.55"); New York City: 5.08" (normal: 4.31"); and, Philadelphia: 5.12" (normal: 4.40"). Very wet years outnumbered very dry ones by a 2:1 ratio in Boston and 3:1 ratio in both New York City and Philadelphia. 63% of cases saw at least one day with 1" or more rainfall in Boston. 88% saw at least one day with 1" or more in New York City and Philadelphia. 50% of those cases saw at least one day with 2" or more daily rainfall in Philadelphia. In sum, the SOI may be offering a signal that there will be some drought relief for the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England regions in September. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -0.5°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -1.1°C for the week centered around August 10. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.90°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.77°C. La Niña conditions will likely persist through the fall. The SOI was +3.88 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was -0.438 today. On August 19 the MJO was in Phase 1 at an amplitude of 0.608 (RMM). The August 18-adjusted amplitude was 0.492 (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 August (1991-2020 normal). August will likely finish with a mean temperature near 78.6° (2.5° above normal).

Morning thoughts… It will be partly cloudy and somewhat cooler. A few locations could see a shower or thundershower. High temperatures will reach the lower and middle 80s in most of the region. Likely high temperatures around the region include: New York City (Central Park): 83° Newark: 85° Philadelphia: 88° Tomorrow and Tuesday will see showers and thunderstorms. Some of the rain will be heavy. Normals: New York City: 30-Year: 82.9°; 15-Year: 82.7° Newark: 30-Year: 84.2°; 15-Year: 84.3° Philadelphia: 30-Year: 85.4°; 15-Year: 85.1°

During August 21-23, 1967, Shreveport picked up 3.83" of rain when no tropical cyclones were present. However, the high rainfall totals were nowhere near as widespread as modeled for the upcoming event. Much lower amounts were recorded in northern Texas.

It might be record-setting if the numbers from the maps you posted verify. I will have to see if I can find other non-tropical cases of such excessive rainfall.

Through 5:40 pm MST, the Friday-Saturday monsoon rainfall has been disappointing in Phoenix and Tucson. Monsoon total rainfall for June 15-August 20 is: Phoenix: 1.34” (normal: 1.53”) and Tucson: 2.36” (normal: 3.66”).

Cooler air will begin to move into the region tomorrow. Early next week will see some unsettled weather with showers and thundershowers. Much of the second half of August could see above to much above normal temperatures in the Pacific Northwest. The ECMWF seasonal forecast indicates that the summer will be warmer than normal throughout the region and across much of North America. Based on how the pattern has been evolving during the spring transition to summer, it is more likely than not that the warmest anomalies of the summer will likely occur in July and August with June being the coolest of the three months in the Northeast. In addition, in the 6 past cases when the June AO averaged +0.750 or above (1950-2021), 67% of the following August and September cases featured above normal temperatures. The August ECMWF forecast shows a warmer than normal September in the Northeast. This warmth would be consistent with the ongoing warming that has been occurring in September. On August 18, the SOI fell to -32.90. Since 1991, there were 8 cases when the SOI fell to -30 or below during the August 10-25 period. That outcome has often preceded a wetter than normal September in parts of the Northeast. Mean September rainfall figures for those 8 cases: Boston: 4.38" (normal: 3.55"); New York City: 5.08" (normal: 4.31"); and, Philadelphia: 5.12" (normal: 4.40"). Very wet years outnumbered very dry ones by a 2:1 ratio in Boston and 3:1 ratio in both New York City and Philadelphia. 63% of cases saw at least one day with 1" or more rainfall in Boston. 88% saw at least one day with 1" or more in New York City and Philadelphia. 50% of those cases saw at least one day with 2" or more daily rainfall in Philadelphia. In sum, the SOI may be offering a signal that there will be some drought relief for the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England regions in September. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -0.5°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -1.1°C for the week centered around August 10. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.90°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.77°C. La Niña conditions will likely persist through the fall. The SOI was -4.98 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was -0.644 today. On August 18 the MJO was in Phase 1 at an amplitude of 0.495 (RMM). The August 17-adjusted amplitude was 0.480 (RMM). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 92% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal August (1991-2020 normal). August will likely finish with a mean temperature near 78.5° (2.4° above normal).

Temperatures were in the middle 80s at Robert Moses State Park. Overall, it was a great beach day.

Morning thoughts… It will be partly sunny and very warm. A few locations could see a shower or thundershower. High temperatures will reach the upper 80s and lower 90s in most of the region. Likely high temperatures around the region include: New York City (Central Park): 89° Newark: 92° Philadelphia: 93° It will turn cooler tomorrow. Normals: New York City: 30-Year: 83.0°; 15-Year: 82.8° Newark: 30-Year: 84.4°; 15-Year: 84.5° Philadelphia: 30-Year: 85.5°; 15-Year: 85.2°

Tomorrow will be another very warm day. However, cooler air will begin to move into the region for Sunday. Much of the second half of August could see above to much above normal temperatures in the Pacific Northwest. The ECMWF seasonal forecast indicates that the summer will be warmer than normal throughout the region and across much of North America. Based on how the pattern has been evolving during the spring transition to summer, it is more likely than not that the warmest anomalies of the summer will likely occur in July and August with June being the coolest of the three months in the Northeast. In addition, in the 6 past cases when the June AO averaged +0.750 or above (1950-2021), 67% of the following August and September cases featured above normal temperatures. The August ECMWF forecast shows a warmer than normal September in the Northeast. This warmth would be consistent with the ongoing warming that has been occurring in September. On August 18, the SOI fell to -32.90. Since 1991, there were 8 cases when the SOI fell to -30 or below during the August 10-25 period. That outcome has often preceded a wetter than normal September in parts of the Northeast. Mean September rainfall figures for those 8 cases: Boston: 4.38" (normal: 3.55"); New York City: 5.08" (normal: 4.31"); and, Philadelphia: 5.12" (normal: 4.40"). Very wet years outnumbered very dry ones by a 2:1 ratio in Boston and 3:1 ratio in both New York City and Philadelphia. 63% of cases saw at least one day with 1" or more rainfall in Boston. 88% saw at least one day with 1" or more in New York City and Philadelphia. 50% of those cases saw at least one day with 2" or more daily rainfall in Philadelphia. In sum, the SOI may be offering a signal that there will be some drought relief for the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England regions in September. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -0.5°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -1.1°C for the week centered around August 10. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.90°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.77°C. La Niña conditions will likely persist through the fall. The SOI was -15.78 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was -0.877 today. On August 17 the MJO was in Phase 8 at an amplitude of 0.479 (RMM). The August 16-adjusted amplitude was 0.226 (RMM). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 88% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal August (1991-2020 normal). August will likely finish with a mean temperature near 78.2° (2.1° above normal).

That is an ill-informed comment. A factual assessment follows. First, although most people are indoors at night, there are populations that are not (select occupations such as construction and the homeless). Their health and lives matter, too (at least in an ethical framework that treats all lives as having value). Frivolous dismissals of an issue that is being discussed by scientists and policymakers, including Phoenix's Mayor Kate Gallego, as "bizarre" doesn't make that issue disappear. Flippant dismissals don't make the problem of anthropogenic climate change, which the IPCC described as "unequivocal, vanish. Second, temperatures and temperature records are not mere abstract numbers that have no significance or meaning beyond the data. They have a real impact. The Southwest's and Phoenix's rising heat poses growing health and societal challenges. The Fourth National Climate Assessment explained: Extreme heat episodes in much of the region disproportionately threaten the health and well-being of individuals and populations who are especially vulnerable... Vulnerability arises from numerous factors individually or in combination, including physical susceptibility (for example, young children and older adults), excessive exposure to heat (such as during heat waves), and socioeconomic factors that influence susceptibility and exposure (for example, hot and poorly ventilated homes or lack of access to public emergency cooling centers)... Communicable diseases, ground-level ozone air pollution, dust storms, and allergens can combine with temperature and precipitation extremes to generate multiple disease burdens (an indicator of the impact of a health problem). Episodes of extreme heat can affect transportation by reducing the ability of commercial airlines to gain sufficient lift for takeoff at major regional airports. Those are real, not imaginary, consequences. Discussing such matter is not even close to "bizarre." Dismissing or denying them is worse than bizarre. Moreover, the Fifth Assessment that will be published in 2023 will sharpen the language related to heat-, drought-, and wildfire-related impacts, all of which are interrelated. Further, compound heat-drought events are projected to increase in the Southwest. Source: Ridder et al., 2022. More than half of Phoenix's warmest months on record have occurred since 2010, including July 2022. The 2010-2022 period accounts for a disproportionate share of exceptionally hot months, as Phoenix's records go back to August 1895. Summers have been warming dramatically. 5 of the 10 hottest summers and 11 of the 20 hottest summers have occurred since 2010. Moreover, the 2000-2021 summer average temperature would rank as the 4th warmest summer during the entire 1895-1999 period. Half of the summers during 2000-2021 were hotter than the hottest summer during the 1895-1999 period. Extremely hot nights (minimum temperatures of 90° or above) were once very uncommon. During 1895-1999, 22% of years saw such minimum temperatures. Every year during 2000-2021 has seen one or more such days. The last time one was not recorded was in 1991. The annual average was 0.5 days during 1895-1999. During 2000-2021, it rocketed to 9.7 days. Diverting attention from the warming of Southwest climate in general, and Phoenix's climate in particular, does not discount the critical and growing importance of an issue that is well-supported by science and well-documented in the climate record. That there has been some welcome monsoon relief that eases the ongoing multi-year drought does not erase what is a growing and increasingly urgent issue confronting the Southwest. Moreover, the monsoon relief may dent but very likely won't erase the now 9" rainfall deficit that has accumulated from January 2015 through mid-August 2022 in the Phoenix area. Much more rain will be needed to end the drought. The coming La Niña winter won't necessarily bring the kind of winter-spring precipitation that is needed. As for the insults in the comment, they merely illustrate the unserious nature of the comment. Fortunately, policymakers are not treating the issue as an "irrelevant" game. They have real responsibilities for the lives of the residents they serve and the economies that provide livelihoods for those people. They understand what's at stake. They are working to protect health, lives, and local economies. Already, Phoenix has developed a Climate Action Plan, which is hardly what one would expect were the issue "irrelevant." In conclusion, the issue of Phoenix's and the Southwest's increasing heat is highly relevant. Internet or Social Media posts don't render it invalid. As long as it is a valid and important issue, I will highlight it when necessary or appropriate, as readers should have opportunity to be exposed to relevant developments, along with the facts.