Summer to Linger for Much of the U.S. with Hot Weather the Norm

The month of August is in full swing. What can you expect this month for temperatures and precipitation across the country? Here is an inside look at what meteorologists are predicting for the long-range forecast for the last month of the meteorological summer.

August Temperature Outlook

According to the August outlook issued last week by The Weather Company and Atmospheric G2, the bulk of the country should prepare for temperatures to hover warmer than the typical August readings. As this is naturally one of the hottest times of the year in a normal year, you can expect August to sizzle even more than usual.

Regions that are predicted to see warmer than average temperatures over the next few weeks include the Northeast and the northern Rockies. Typical readings in the Northeast range in the 80s this month.

It will also be slightly warmer than the norm for August in the Midwest. You can expect normal highs to reach the 80s as summer comes to a close.

The Southeast is predicted to see the mercury land at about normal levels. However, keep in mind that just because readings will be near normal, it does not mean that it is going to cool down any time soon. Average temperatures in the zone from Texas to South Carolina typically bounce around in the 90s in August.

The interior portions of the West are likely to see the most noticeable departure from normal this month with temperatures expected to soar. This zone includes most of Utah and Idaho, as well as the western portions of Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. Average readings in the western U.S. vary greatly depending on specific geography. While the higher elevations tend to see August hover in the 60s and 70s, the Desert Southwest regularly eclipses the century mark.

The exception to the unseasonably warm temperatures in August will be along the coast of California. This part of the country will enjoy temperatures that trend cooler than normal August values.

August Precipitation Outlook

Now that we have looked at the temperature outlook for the month, let's dive into the precipitation forecast. The Southeast will remain the nation's soggy spot, continuing the trend of July. The long-range forecast is predicting that this corner of the country will notch another month of above-average precipitation.

While the news of more moisture may not be welcome for the water-logged region, the persistent rain and cloud cover are also why the temperatures are likely to slip to below average readings in the Southeast. The flip side is that the influx of moisture will keep humidity levels high, translating to muggy real feel temperatures.

It will also be increasingly wet in the Desert Southwest. This forecast can be blamed on the expectation of a robust North American Monsoon season. The monsoonal moisture generally peaks in the mid to late summer months, ushering in moisture to the arid southwestern U.S.

Other regions that can expect precipitation levels to hit slightly above the norm for August include the Great Lakes, the Ohio Valley, and the Tennessee Valley. Florida is also predicted to see rainfall totals reach levels that are a bit above what is typically expected in August.

As always, these predictions are not absolutes. Various changes in the specific local patterns could cause deviations in the overall long-range outlook for August. Stay tuned as we continue to update the regional and local forecasts for the month.

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