A significant warm spell is sweeping across the United States, with nearly 87 million residents experiencing temperatures at or above 70 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday afternoon, and over 26 million forecast to reach the 80s. The surge in temperatures arrives earlier than usual for many areas, signaling a potential shift towards spring-like conditions.
While much of the South has already experienced temperatures in the 70s or higher, the warmth is extending further north into the Central Plains and Ohio and mid-Mississippi valleys. However, the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast remain largely in a waiting pattern for sustained warmth. According to data analyzed from 1991-2020 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), springlike warmth typically emerges in late March and early April, though some regions may not consistently reach these temperatures until May.
The Northeast is experiencing a varied pattern. Locations closer to Washington, D.C., have already reached 70 degrees in February, while parts of Recent England and upstate New York typically don’t hit that mark until April. The first 80-degree temperatures are generally seen in April for most of the region, with coastal cities like Boston and Bangor, Maine, often waiting until May. Despite the warmer days, nights are still expected to drop below freezing well into spring; Washington, D.C., typically sees its last day at or below 32 degrees around March 24, while Burlington, Vermont, waits until May 3.
The potential for earlier warm spells has been observed, with some cities in the Northeast recording 70-degree temperatures as early as January. However, the Santa Ynez Valley, in contrast, routinely experiences temperatures in the 80s, 90s, and even 100s during the summer months, and many older homes in areas experiencing this early warmth lack air conditioning, potentially making even moderate temperature increases uncomfortable.
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