Starting off September on a hot note after closing the book on climatological summer
How is it already September first?! Climatological summer (June - August) flew by, but it wasn't too extreme when it comes to temperature and rainfall. Milwaukee's average temperature ended up near normal for the summer, and while rainfall ended up over two and a half inches below normal, it wasn't anywhere close to being one of the driest summers on record.
We ended August on a cooler note with highs in the low 70s, but the first few days of September will feel more like the middle of summer. Temps return to the low 80s today thanks to a southerly wind, but that southwest wind will turn breezy through Labor Day weekend and usher in even hotter temps. Highs rise back to either side of 90° Saturday with mid 90s expected Sunday and Monday. Those are the two days we're on record high watch.
Thankfully we won't have to deal with tropical humidity with this heat wave. Dew points remain at comfortable levels today through Sunday, but will start to become sticky by the middle of next week.
There's a small chance for a stray shower north of Milwaukee on Saturday, otherwise no chance for showers or storms until the middle of next week. The overall outlook for September shouldn't be shocking giving how the month is starting. Above average temps are favored this month, with below normal rainfall slightly favored as well.
On a side note, we're often asked about the difference between climatological seasons and astronomical season. Meteorologists and climatologists follow climatological seasons because it's easier to keep and compare seasonal climate data. Climatological seasons follow the annual temperature cycle and are grouped in months of three that closely follow our daily calendar. Fall is September-November, Winter is December-February, Spring is March-May, and Summer is June-August.
Astronomical seasons are based on the earth's position in relation to the sun. Since the exact date of the solstices and equinoxes vary, it's more difficult to compare season climate data especially since some seasons end up being longer than others. Download the CBS 58 Ready Weather App to find out if we'll start feeling like fall any time soon.