Summer 2024 Forecast For PA: 'Frequent' Severe Weather, 90-Degree Days

PENNSYLVANIA — Summer 2024 could be sizzling in Pennsylvania, according to a seasonal forecast Wednesday from AccuWeather that calls for high temperatures ahead for most of the country.

From June to August, temperatures are forecast to run at least three to four degrees above average across the Keystone State, which will translate to higher energy bills for local homes and businesses, AccuWeather said.

The Philadelphia metropolitan area could see 36 to 42 days with 90-degree or higher temperatures. Last year, the mercury hit the 90-degree mark on 24 days.

Showers and thunderstorms in the region could bring much-needed breaks in the heat in June and July, but drier weather could pave the way for even hotter weather in August, the private weather company said.

AccuWeather meteorologists noted some areas of the country have already seen temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, more than a month ahead of normal and the start of meteorological summer on June 1 (the official start of the season is on June 20 with the summer solstice). Phoenix had its earliest 100-degree day on record.

Temperatures are forecast to be about 2 degrees above historical averages for more than half of the country from June to August. That comes on the heels of the warmest year on record in 2023.

Areas from the Plains to the Northeast could see scorching heat waves. The hottest areas, when compared with historical averages, could be over the Great Lakes, Upper Midwest and Southwestern Plains, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Paul Pastelok said.

At the same time, rain over the Pacific Northwest is expected to reduce the chance of a long heat wave in places such as Seattle and Portland.

Overall, showers and thunderstorms may bring some periodic relief from the heat in June and July, but drier weather in August could bring scorching temperatures, he said.

Heat could fuel strong storms, AccuWeather said. In Pennsylvania, severe weather is expected to peak in July and August in the northern half of the state and June to August in the southern portion.

“Severe weather events can be frequent in June and part of July,” Pastelok said, adding the risk includes derechos, or “inland hurricanes” with sustained winds of 58 or more mph, with gusts of up to 100 mph, over an area more than 400 miles wide.

The annual monsoon season in the West is expected to start later than usual. While rain can bring relief from summer heat, it carries an accompanying risk of flash floods and wildfire-igniting lightning.

The Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be especially active and exceed 30-year historical averages, and the first storm could spin up before the official start of the season on June 1, AccuWeather said.

AccuWeather meteorologists are forecasting between 20 and 25 named storms across the Atlantic basin in 2024, including eight to 12 hurricanes, four to seven major hurricanes, and four to six direct U.S. impacts.

“There is an increased flood threat for the Gulf States as a busy tropical season is anticipated with one or two threats in the summer season,” Pastelok said.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also predicted a strong Atlantic hurricane season for 2024.