Fall Forecast 2016: Washington DC to See Warmer Weather This Season

WASHINGTON, DC — The last thing we want to hear in the middle of a September heat wave is "more heat," but the fall in Washington, D.C. is shaping up to be warmer than usual, according to the latest seasonal forecasts. But, it might be good news if you've trudged through the mud in a corn maze or wished you'd brought a coat to a haunted house.

The National Weather Service notes temperatures across the country will be above average for the 3-month period through November. We should see rain in the region on average with falls in the Mid-Atlantic.

The worst of the hot temps may be up and down the East Coast, according to the Weather Channel. The season has kicked off temperatures well-above average for Washington, D.C., forecasters note.

October will find above average temperatures and November will be slightly above average, according to the updated fall forecast from The Weather Company chief meteorologist Todd Crawford.

Leaf peepers may be shortchanged by the forecast, according to AccuWeather's 2016 fall forecast.

"Fall foliage looks like it may be hurting just a bit because of the current dry conditions going on and then what we expect in September and October...," AccuWeather long-range Forecaster Paul Pastelok said. "Those leaves, they may not be as vibrant and they may not stay on the trees very long."

The forecast is good news for Washington, D.C. residents and tourists anticipating the National Book Festival, the Taste of DC and other high-profile fall events.

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The Northeast and mid-Atlantic states may wake up to a few nippy days in October and November, but prolonged chilly weather will wait until late in the fall for most areas, the experts say.

Last year, the Mid-Atlantic region suffered through an intensifying El Niño weather pattern that brought three feet of snow to much of the D.C. region in a January 2016 storm, closing roads for days, schools for a week and trapping residents indoors.

Includes reporting by Deb Belt

Patch file photo by Beth Dalbey