August was another warmer-than-normal month in the Northeast, with average temperatures as much as 6°F above normal. Twenty-seven major climate sites ranked this August among their 20 warmest on record.
With a mild June, an exceptionally hot July, and a warm August, summer 2020 went into the record books as the hottest summer on record for nine major climate sites and ranked among the 10 hottest summers on record for another 20 major climate sites. Overall, all 35 major climate sites were hotter than normal by as much as 4.7°F.
Precipitation was variable in August. Two of the 14 drier-than-normal major climate sites ranked this August among their driest on record. The driest locations, which were generally in New England, western New York, and northern Pennsylvania, saw as little as 25% of normal precipitation. During the month, drought and abnormally dry conditions expanded in several of these areas.
Thirteen of the 21 wetter-than-normal major climate sites ranked this August among their 20 wettest on record. The wettest locations, which were generally in eastern West Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic, and eastern New York, saw more than 200% of normal precipitation. Several of these areas experienced repeated flash flooding.
With a generally dry June and variable precipitation in July and August, summer precipitation ranged from 25% of normal in parts of New England to more than 200% of normal in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. Twenty-two major climate sites were drier than normal, with Hartford, CT, having its driest summer on record and four other sites ranking this summer among their 20 driest. On the flip side, 10 of the 13 wetter-than-normal major climate sites ranked this summer among their 20 wettest on record.
