The most humid week of summer
Update #662: Here comes the Hudson Valley's most persistently humid week of summer — so far.
The title says it all. Prepare for very muggy conditions in the Hudson Valley this week, which will fuel occasional downpours and maximum heat index values near 100 degrees from Tuesday to Friday.
You’re not imagining things: it has been more humid than normal this month (and summer), making New York feel more like Florida.
Behind the persistently high humidity has been frequent southerly winds, which have transported warm and moist air from the tropics. This wind pattern isn’t necessarily unusual for summer — but nearby sea temperature patterns are.
Extremely warm seas line the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf — an ongoing trend that has been exacerbated this summer — adding extra moisture to the air.
Check out how unusually warm the Atlantic is:
The warm water could even fuel a tropical storm in the Gulf later this week.
A dash of good news is that humidity may briefly subside next weekend.
The week ahead
The highest chance for downpours will be on Monday, Thursday and Friday, mainly during the afternoons. Deluges this week could result in localized areas of flash flooding.
Surging smoke from wildfires in Canada looks to remain north and west of the region for now.
Monday: partly sunny and very humid with heavy showers and thunderstorms developing, mainly after noon; localized areas of flash flooding are possible
Tuesday: very humid with an afternoon shower or storm in a few spots
Wednesday: like Tuesday, but slightly hotter
Thursday: partly sunny with extreme humidity; scattered-but-heavy PM downpours possible
Friday: hot and extremely humid with a chance for heavy PM downpours
Saturday-Sunday: there’s a decent chance that conditions will turn less humid, though a chance for some rain could return as early as Sunday, though it’s not set in stone
Note of meteorological interest: Friday, July 18, is the hottest and most humid day of the year in the Hudson Valley on average. It will live up to expectations this year.
After a short break from high humidity, looking ahead to the week of July 21, signs are that above-average heat, humidity and downpour chances will return to the region.
If you’re up for some additional reading, here’s a gift link to my article in the Washington Post this week: It didn’t take a hurricane to cause deadly floods in Texas and North Carolina.
Hope your week comes with an above-average amount of good things! ✌️
