The official start of summer isn't for another month, and we're still a week away from the unofficial start on Memorial Day weekend — but that isn't stopping summer-like weather from hitting the tri-state this weekend.
Saturday delivered temperatures well above 90 in many places, with Central Park just shy of that recording 89 for the day's high. JFK Airport tied its record of 94 previously set back in 1992, while temps in Newark rose to 96, a couple of degrees shy of the city's 1991 record.
More sunshine can be expected for Sunday, along with higher humidity and higher temperatures. With highs in the low 90s, it could be the hottest day so far this year, and dew points in the 60s will make it feel like a hot day in July.
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For anyone looking to head to the Jersey Shore to escape the heat (or just get the first tan of the season) either day of the weekend, be careful around the water. There is a high risk of dangerous rip currents, and lifeguards are not on duty at this time of year yet.
The increase in both humidity and temperature makes for a better setup for storm development Sunday evening. Severe weather is possible, with damaging winds being the biggest threat. Most of the storms look like they will hit areas west and northwest of the city, but there's still a risk for the places like the Jersey Shore and Long Island as well.
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The severe weather potential arrives as the first of this year's named storms makes its debut. Subtropical Storm Ana former early Saturday morning, becoming the first named storm of the season. It's now the seventh consecutive year a named storm has formed before June.
June 1 marks the official start of the hurricane season, which runs through November 30. Coming off a record-breaking 2020 hurricane season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting an "above-normal" 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, with 13-20 named storms expected. Of those named storms, six to ten are expected to be hurricanes and three to five could be major hurricanes
Once this weekend's thunderstorms around here move on, the hot air is expected to head out along with them — but not for long. Monday looks to be much cooler, with temperatures not getting out of the 60s under cloudy skies. It warms up a bit Tuesday for a much more seasonable day, but then expect another hot day at or approaching 90 on Wednesday.
The weather cools back down once again for the end of the workweek heading into Memorial Day weekend, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s from Thursday-Monday with scattered thunderstorms three of the days, including over both weekend days. As of now, Memorial Day itself looks like it will be overcast but pleasant, with temperatures sitting right at 80 degrees.
