NOAA’s latest climate forecast for August 2024 predicts that the heatwaves are expected to continue through the end of an already scorching summer.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center has released its 30-day forecast for August, the final month of summer, and it looks like Americans are headed for most of the above-average heat that has prevailed so far this summer.
The outlook also indicates that an active Atlantic hurricane season and an ongoing southwest monsoon are expected to bring above-normal rainfall to parts of the United States.
U.S. Temperature Forecast for August
NOAA’s temperature forecast predicts above average temperatures across most of the continental U.S. and the northeastern half of Alaska.
Areas where temperatures could rise include the Southeast, much of the Mid-Atlantic, the Northeast, and New England.
The same is true for most other areas from the Gulf Coast states to the West Coast, with even higher odds in parts of the Interior West, including Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Wyoming and Idaho.
The Plains, Southeast and Gulf Coast states have been hit by a heat wave since early August, with dangerous heat expected to continue into next week.
Only the Great Lakes region and the upper Midwest will be spared from the expected heat, according to the forecast.
August US Rainfall Forecast
NOAA forecasts that much of the eastern US, as well as parts of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, will see above-average rainfall in August.
The Atlantic hurricane season is active, with a new tropical storm approaching the Southeast during the first week of August that could easily bring more rain than the average month of summer in the final month of the month.
Florida, coastal Georgia and both Carolinas could see tropical rainfall in early August as the National Hurricane Center continues to track a hurricane that could potentially gain moderate strength within the week.
The Southwest monsoon season is already in full swing, and the CPC is predicting a slight strengthening of the monsoon season in parts of New Mexico and Arizona, where flooding is already an issue.
In New Mexico, the burned areas of the South Fork and Salt Fork fires have been classified as 19 flood emergencies since June 19.
Further rain could also be a problem for parts of the Northeast, including Vermont, which just recorded its wettest day in state history on July 30, with about 8.5 inches of rain.
Meanwhile, models indicate that below-average rainfall is likely in the Northwest and the Plains.
This arid region includes much of the Northwest, the Great Plains, the Mississippi Valley, and western Tennessee.
Below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures are including areas of heightened fire danger, such as Colorado, where firefighters are battling a 5,000-acre fire.
