WASHINGTON — Labor Day marks the “unofficial end of summer” here in the US, but for many, this upcoming long holiday weekend will still feel very much like the heart of summer. On Saturday, temperatures are forecast to trend 5-10F above normal across much of the Plains, Midwest, and into the Mid-Atlantic, while slightly warmer than normal trends encompass the Southeast. In the West, temperatures will be somewhat mixed, although generally close to normal for this time of year. Heading into Sunday, temperature trends well above normal are expected to spread across the Midwest, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, as well as move into areas of the West Coast. Meanwhile, trends in the Southeast are expected to be largely similar to the prior day, trending a degree or several above normal. Moving into Labor Day Monday, conditions are expected to really heat up in the Northeast. Much of the region is forecast to trend 10-15F above normal, with trends 5-10F above normal extending back into the Midwest. Temperatures for the holiday will also trend above normal from California to the Northwest and into the Dakotas. Much of the remaining Southwest, South Central, and Southeast, however, will trend near to slightly warmer than normal for the holiday.
But while temperatures will be above normal, not all will be able to enjoy time outside or in the sun this holiday weekend. Over the 3-day weekend, rains are in the forecast for much of the Central Plains, Midwest, and East. Beginning on Saturday, some showers are in the forecast from the Mid-Atlantic, down through the Tennessee Valley, and toward the Gulf Coast. Showers or even some heavy rains are also possible in the Midwest. On Sunday, showers or storms are possible in the Central Plains and Southern Rockies, with lighter showers extending across much of the Midwest and into the Northeast. On Labor Day Monday, some rains are once again possible from the Southern Rockies and Central Plains through the Midwest, and into parts of the Northeast. If you live out West, conditions this weekend are expected to be dry which will be more favorable for getting outside. Of course, if you’re in the Central or Eastern US, the weekend doesn’t look like a complete wash-out, but rains could cause some hiccups in your outdoor plans.
The upcoming holiday may be a warm one, but let’s take a look at how it ranks compared to the last 27 years. The temperature and precipitation rankings for the regions below represent the current forecast for Labor Day Monday as compared to the same holiday date for the last 27 years.
Northeast: 1st warmest and 7th wettest
Southeast: 4th warmest and 10th driest
North Central: 7th warmest (tied with 2016) and 1st wettest
South Central: 12th warmest and 2nd wettest
- Rocky Mnts: 6thwarmest (tied with 2003) and 5thdriest
- Rocky Mnts: 11thcoldest and 1stwettest
Northwest: 10th warmest (tied with 2002) and 1st driest (tied with all other years with zero precipitation)
Southwest: 8th warmest and 1st driest (tied with all other years with zero precipitation)
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