"Summer's Last Roar: A Hot September Looms Over D.C."

As we bid farewell to a milder summer, Mother Nature seems to have one last heatwave in store for the Washington, D.C., area. While August graced us with cooler temperatures, September is preparing to bring back the sizzle with a three-day stretch of mid-to-upper 90s starting Monday.

The mercury may climb above the 90-degree mark for six consecutive days, setting the stage for a hotter-than-average September. After a pleasantly cool and fresh start to the month, it appears summer is not quite ready to release its grip.

Our projections indicate that the September average temperature in the District is likely to be 1 to 3 degrees above the norm, which stands at 72.4 degrees. This follows a meteorological summer (June through August) that was cooler than average, a welcome relief after the scorching summers of recent years.

The impending heatwave isn't just a local phenomenon; it's part of a nationwide pattern of hot weather. Looking at the Lower 48 states, the first half of September is expected to be the hottest on record since 1950.

Unfortunately, the hot weather isn't going to be accompanied by much-needed rainfall. Computer models are suggesting drier-than-normal conditions for the first half of September in much of the Mid-Atlantic region. As a result, we anticipate September may receive 0.5 to 2 inches less rain than the monthly average of 3.93 inches.

However, there is a silver lining for those eagerly awaiting the arrival of autumn. The latest model projections indicate that cooler changes are in store for the week of September 11, bringing back some much-needed autumn flavor. Highs should retreat into the 70s, and rain chances are expected to increase.

Reflecting on August, it ended up slightly cooler than normal, with an average temperature of 78.7 degrees, just 0.7 degrees below the 1991-2020 average. It marked the first cooler-than-average August since 2017, though it still ranked as the 38th hottest August since 1871. Despite the slight drop, it's worth noting that temperatures have been rising over the long term.

Looking at the summer months of June, July, and August, the average temperature was 78.1 degrees, which was 0.8 degrees cooler than normal. This marked the 35th hottest summer on record since 1871.

In terms of rainfall, August saw 3.71 inches of precipitation in the District, which was 0.46 inches above the monthly average. However, Baltimore and Dulles experienced drier-than-normal conditions. For the year overall, 2023 is now tied with 2017 as the second hottest on record in the District, with precipitation running slightly below normal.

As we gear up for September's heatwave, it's a reminder that while summer may be winding down, it still has a few tricks up its sleeve. So, prepare for a warm start to the month and keep your fingers crossed for those cooler, autumnal days just around the corner.