The first day of September has been a spectacular one, with the morning staring in the 40s for many and highs in the 70s. A spectacular Labor Day Weekend is on tap with a taste of fall today and (to a lesser extent) tomorrow for fall lovers, and a return to warmth and heat Sunday and especially Monday for those hanging onto the last days of summer.
Reviewing Meteorological Summer 2023
Meteorological summer runs from June 1-August 31, and it was wet with normal temperatures. Looking at the climate reports from the National Weather Service for the two official reporting stations for Hartford and Bridgeport:
Hartford
- Hartford finished with an average temperature 0.2 degrees above normal, so basically normal. Our average high temperatures this summer were nearly one degree below normal, while our low temperatures were just over a degree above normal.
- It was very wet in Hartford, with 19.08" of rain, most of which fell in July and August. This is 6.42" above normal!
- Hartford had a below normal number of 90 degree days, and while July was warm due to humid conditions, August was below normal in temperature.
- Hartford had 50 days with at least light rain.
Bridgeport
- Bridgeport finished with an average temperature 1.0 degrees below normal and also had a well below normal season of 90 degree days. It only had 3 all summer.
- Bridgeport, like much of southern CT saw less rain than northern CT. BDR recorded 13.13" of rain, still 2.06" above normal.
- Bridgeport had 42 days with at least light rain.
Now that we move into September, what are the climate normals?
September Normals
Hartford
September 1 Average High Temperature: 81
September 1 Average Low Temperature: 59
September 15 Average High Temperature: 76
September 15 Average Low Temperature: 54
September 30 Average High Temperature: 70
September 30 Average Low Temperature: 48
Average Monthly Rainfall: 4.39"
Bridgeport
September 1 Average High Temperature: 80
September 1 Average Low Temperature: 64
September 15 Average High Temperature: 76
September 15 Average Low Temperature: 60
September 30 Average High Temperature: 70
September 30 Average Low Temperature: 54
Average Monthly Rainfall: 3.96"
Labor Day Weekend
As I said earlier, spectacular weekend with something for everyone. A strong ridge is in place throughout the weekend, meaning dry conditions each day. For those that love fall, today was a treat with temperatures reminiscent of mid to late September. Saturday is a little warmer with highs in the low 80s, but it'll feel great with sunny conditions.
We start to see the warmth pick up however on Sunday. I originally thought it'd hold off until Monday, but that won't be the case. It'll be great beach or cookout weather on Sunday, with highs in the mid to upper 80s and increasing humidity, though it won't be oppressive.
Labor Day looks excellent as well, especially if you like summer. It'll be hot though, especially inland. Expect a little more humidity with highs in the upper 80s at the shore to low 90s inland. For inland areas, this'll likely be the start of a heat wave, and quite possibly summer's last stand.
Tropical Update
Meanwhile, the tropics are on fire. As we reach the peak of the season we've already had two major hurricanes in the basin. The basin remains favorable for tropical activity, and I expect the first long track tropical system to develop in the next week from the orange area below. For now, there are no threats to Connecticut, but this is a time to stay vigilant.
Thank you for reading and trusting SCW.
-DB