Updated 08.23.23 @ 6:09p I. Hottest conditions banked up against our far western counties today where temperatures climbed into the middle 90s. Heat indices topped the lower 100s in the…
You must be logged in to view this content. Click Here to become a member of IndyWX.com for full access. Already a member of IndyWx.com All-Access? Log-in here.
You must be logged in to view this content. Click Here to become a member of IndyWX.com for full access. Already a member of IndyWx.com All-Access? Log-in here.
Despite the blazing heat that awaits in the week ahead, another push of unseasonably cool and refreshing air that we’ll enjoy to open the weekend is a sign that autumn isn’t that far away.
As the El Niño continues to strengthen heading into fall, we’re bullish here at IndyWx.com that an unseasonably warm start to autumn is on tap. While not nearly as hot as what the week ahead will entail, we think we’ll remain close enough to the ‘mean’ upper ridge position to result in at least slightly to moderately above normal temperatures for September as a whole (say in the + 1.5° to + 3° range).
The latest European extended product and JMA Weeklies back this idea up, including a drier than normal look. While we’ll have to be on guard for the potential of ridge rider storm clusters as the ridge retrogrades west at times, the overall pattern through at least mid-September sure appears drier than normal as a whole.
While not quite as toasty, the GFS extended product is also painting a dry regime into mid-September.
From a temperature perspective into mid September, we prefer a blend of what the JMA/ Euro and GFS are suggesting. Again, slightly warmer than normal overall o/ the upcoming 3-4 week period.
As we evolve deeper into September and closer to early October, we believe the threat of an early season cold blast, including frost threat will show up a few weeks earlier than normal this season. This likely won’t be a full scale, permanent shift to cold, but rather a chilly “jolt.” Given the evolving Niño, we’ll have to likely wait until later into October before we have something more meaningful and sustained from a cold weather standpoint. . .
Most Hoosiers woke up to a hint of autumn this morning. We’re getting to that point on the calendar where we typically hear that most aren’t ready for the cooler days of autumn that are literally on the doorstep. If you find yourself in that club, take heart in knowing the hottest air of the season awaits next week as an upper level ridge expands overhead for a period of time.
This should feature multiple days next week with high temperatures into the low-mid 90s, however, this will at least be a “drier” heat compared to most other spells this summer. Most, if not all, of next week will be free of any rain along with plentiful sunshine. Aside from the big time heat, a quiet week is in store.
In looking at the long range charts, we see something similar with the ‘mean’ ridge position as it retrogrades west towards the Day 10-15 period. This should pull the more significant heat west and open us up for wetter times as we push into early September.
Perhaps the threat of some late summer/ early autumn ridge riding storm complexes are in our future? Regardless, while the upcoming week will feature significant heat, like so many other patterns this summer, there continues to be a light at the end of the hot tunnel before the “hot” pattern begins.
Another note that will require our attention over the course of the upcoming couple weeks? The tropics. After a very quiet time of things, it sure appears as if activity will be on the uptick just in time for us to approach the peak of the season.
The short-term will continue to be highlighted by unseasonably cool and refreshing air.
However those that aren’t ready to be done with the summer heat are in luck. Significant warming will take place next week. Yes, we’ll replace those cool, crisp overnight lows in the 50s with lows only in the 70s and highs into the lower 90s for multiple days next week as an upper level ridge expands and builds overhead.
Next week will also feature significantly drier and calmer conditions compared to what we’ve seen over the past few weeks. Hot and dry will rule the day, overall. As of now, most of, if not the entire week should be rain-free.
The next question becomes the staying power of the heat as we flip the page into meteorological fall. As a whole, I’m leaning towards at least the first half of fall running well above normal. That doesn’t mean the region isn’t at risk of an early frost threat this year (byproduct of the strengthening Nino event heading into fall and drivers behind what have powered the recent wet times. Speaking of wet, IND is now close to 1.5” above normal month-to-date).
As we push closer towards Labor Day weekend, the long range European data is “cooling” things closer towards seasonal levels after next week’s heat. Hard to disagree with that approach at least for a time before we begin to warm things back up, compared to normal.