September Warmth in November

Stellar November weather in the DC Metro Region

Temperatures today are poised to challenge record highs at all three airports across the D.C. Metro Region.  This week has already featured three consecutive days of temperatures in the 70s.  That’s more characteristic of early October than early November.  It’s important to note that November’s warmest average high in Washington, D.C. is only 63 degrees.  

Although November has averaged approximately 3 days in the 70s in the Nation’s Capital during the last 25 years, having three consecutive days that warm has not happened since 2003.  In fact, 2003 was the last time it was at least 80 degrees in the Nation’s Capital during the month of November when a record high of 81 degrees was set at on November 5.  That’s the average high in Washington, D.C. on September 13.  Although there were 7 degrees of at least 70 degrees in November 2003, November 1994 saw even more with 10 such days.  By comparison, there were only 2 days of 70 degree warmth last November.

For much of this week there has been an area of high pressure of the southeast coast of the United States.  That enabled this week’s record heat across much of the Deep South.  For example, Tampa, Florida set a record high of 91 degrees yesterday.  However, today will be the warmest day of the week in the Mid-Atlantic Region as temperatures approach 80 degrees.  It hasn’t been 80 degrees in the Nation’s Capital since September 29.

A potent cold front will approach the Mid-Atlantic this evening, ensuring any record warmth will be short-lived.  Temperatures will be 15 to 20 degrees cooler this weekend, with highs only in the mid-60s tomorrow and near 60 on Sunday.  According to the National Weather Service, that’s much closer to today’s seasonal average of 62 degrees in the Nation’s Capital.

While much of the eastern portion of the United States has enjoyed warmer than average weather this week, the Colorado Rockies have experienced their first significant snowfall of the fall season.  Snow has been observed as far south as Santa Fe, New Mexico.  So while the prospect of record warmth is a treat this time of year, it shouldn’t be expected.  

The record high temperatures to beat today are:

Washington, D.C. (measured at National Airport): 78 (1948)

Dulles Airport, Sterling, Virginia: 78 (1994)

Baltimore, Maryland (measured at BWI Airprot): 77 (2005)