Above-average temps in mid 90s this weekend. Will Daytona have a hotter-than-usual summer?
Although summer isn't officially underway, Volusia and Flagler residents have started to get a taste of the season’s high temperatures — with another on the way this weekend.
According to the National Weather Service’s forecast, from Friday to Tuesday, the area will see highs in the low to mid 90s. “Feels like” temperatures will even get to the upper 90s and close to 100 degrees, especially on Sunday.
“As of right now, we are forecasting the highest heat index values near 100 degrees for the Daytona area,” said Melissa Watson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne. “There is a high pressure over the area during that time. So it’s kind of like a heat wave.”
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In Flagler County, highs throughout the weekend will be in the upper 80s and low 90s, according to the National Weather Service forecast.
Watson said the expected temperatures are well above the average for the area this time of year — Flagler usually see temperatures in the mid 80s.
“For this month, if projections go on course, we are looking to see one of the warmest Mays on record,” Watson said.
Will the summer be hotter than usual this year in Daytona Beach?
Whether the Daytona are will see above-average temperatures over the summer months is something meteorologists cannot predict at this time, Watson said.
Trends will often provide an idea of whether a month will be hotter than usual — as with May — but unpredictable factors like rains and cloudy days contribute to those numbers.
“Depending on how much rain we get, it is not out of the realm of possibility to see above-normal temperatures for the summer months,” she said. “But I can’t say for sure.”
The average temperatures for the summer months are approximately 88 degrees for June and around 90 degrees for July and August.
Will Florida's predicted above-average hurricane season affect summer temps?
The expectation of an above-average hurricane season could also impact what temperatures will be like in the months ahead, but nothing is certain.
“Having above-normal rainfall or cloudy conditions, that would lower temperatures,” Watson said.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released Thursday its yearly hurricane season outlook, predicting an 85% chance of an above-normal season, with 17 to 25 total named storms.
Several factors are behind the prediction, including “near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, development of La Niña conditions in the Pacific, reduced Atlantic trade winds and less wind shear, all of which tend to favor tropical storm formation,” according to NOAA.
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It is also still difficult to say, Watson added, whether this hurricane season could mean more frequent thunderstorms over the area.
Factors such as the sea breeze over the coast and the water temperature could affect how storms will develop.
How to prepare for the extreme heat
Whether the Daytona area will see above-average temperatures over the summer, occasional heat waves and bouts extreme temperatures happen every year.
This heat could be dangerous if area residents are not aware of the risks. To avoid these, Watson said, people can:
Drink plenty of water — especially for those who work outside.
Limit your time outside in the direct sunlight by taking break in the shade.
Be aware of how hot the pavement is before letting kids play or taking your pets outside.
Check on elderly family, friends and neighbors, ensuring they have proper air conditioning.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona weather: After warm May, what to expect this summer
