NORFOLK, Va. — Tuesday, July 16 marked the halfway point of meteorological summer. That’s a bit different from astronomical summer where the beginning is marked by the Summer Solstice and the end by the Autumnal Equinox.
Meteorological summer is a three-month block that goes from June 1 to August 31.
RELATED: What is the summer solstice?
So how are the numbers looking? By numbers I mean temperatures: most of you will agree it's been a hot summer so far and the data certainly supports that!
We have completed 46 of the 92 days of meteorological summer and the result has been notable in regard to those temperatures.
Here’s a look at June: 20 out of 30 days in June were above average, with four days with highs above 95.
Ten out of the 16 days in July so far are above average, with five days above 95.
Comparing the average temperatures -- the highs and lows from each day between June 1st and July 16th -- 2024 comes in second place for the hottest. In fact, we have to go all the way back to 2010 to find a hotter first half of meteorological summer!
And how about those heat alerts? There have been A LOT issued by our local National Weather Service office out in Wakefield so far this season, but how do they compare with the last several seasons?
This year has seen the most Excessive Heat Warnings issued going back to 2018. We’re also tied with 2022 for the most Heat Advisories issued.
However, we need to view this bit of data carefully because even though these were issued, it doesn’t account for what actually verified. Plus, sometimes these alerts are issued once but encompass several days.
So, will the second half of meteorological summer follow suit? Time will tell!