NORFOLK, Va. — It’s already September and we’re now officially in "meteorological fall." Let's recap how meteorological summer 2024 went, starting with a look back at August.
Of the 31 days in August, only 12 came in above average in terms of temperatures. 16 were below normal, and three were right on target for average for the date. Rainfall was lacking too, Norfolk International Airport only recorded 3.43 inches, coming in with a deficit of just under 2.5 inches.
The end of August also marked the end of meteorological summer. If you remember, meteorological seasons are broken down into 3-month blocks, with summer covering the months of June, July, and August.
So how did meteorological summer add up?
A hot June pushed the entire season into the Top 10 hottest on record, coming in at number 7. June and July both were above average while August was slightly below.
Rainfall averaged out to near normal with a wet July balancing out deficits in June and August.
There were some notable occurrences within meteorological summer 2024: we recorded 32 days with high temperatures of 90° or hotter, and 15 days where highs reached or surpassed 95°.
In the month of June, there were four days of 95° or hotter, which was the most in June since 2011. August recorded five days of 95° or hotter, which was the most for the month since 2006!
We also failed to reach 100° this summer, which isn’t unusual. The last time we experienced triple digits was back in 2020: in July of that year, it was 100° or hotter on five different days!
So now we head into meteorological fall: cooler temperatures, shorter days, and longer nights. The hottest days of the year are behind us and now we gear up for wintertime cold.