Pumpkin spice lattes are back, but it still isn’t time to break out scarves and flannels in Palm Beach County.
As brutal heat bears down on the county for yet another week, people are asking: When will it cool down?
Unfortunately for many South Floridians, that probably won’t happen until a few more months. Noticeably cooler weather will likely start in late November or December, according to George Rizzuto, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Miami.
The first subtle cool fronts of the season usually arrive between September and mid-October. Still, South Florida has had streaks of 90-degree days through September and October over the last few years, Rizzuto said.
“Just based on the fact of how warm it's been this summer, I would say it's probably going to be a warm fall as well,” he said.
Much of the rest of the nation could experience a warmer fall, too, according to the Climate Prediction Center's fall temperature outlook map for the United States. Summer warmth may hang around longer partly because of El Niño strengthening.
Showers and storms expected this weekend in South Florida
It’s been a record-matching summer for Palm Beach County. A 96-degree temperature at Donald J. Trump International Airport near West Palm Beach tied a record high on Aug. 18. A 95-degree temperature at the airport on Saturday, Aug. 22, tied with another record.
This summer has the second-highest number of heat advisories in South Florida that the weather service has issued. It is rivaled only by the summer of 2024. This summer is already on track to at least match its number of heat advisories, according to Nico Porcelli, a meteorologist with the weather service.
Last week was especially hot, but this week has brought a hint of relief with southeasterly wind flow and more rain and thunderstorms. Saharan dust is no longer hanging over the area, which has increased rain activity. But South Florida is still in a drought.
Afternoon showers and storms are forecast each day through the weekend. There could be heavy rain, gusty winds of 40 to 50 mph and frequent or excessive lightning, according to the weather service.
Rain chances are about 50% in West Palm Beach on Thursday, Aug. 27, and about 30% on Friday, Aug. 28. They jump up to about 60% over the weekend, according to the weather service. Lightning chances are elevated through the weekend.
The high temperatures in West Palm Beach are in the low-to-mid 90s this week with heat index, or “feels-like,” temperatures between 107 and 111 degrees through the weekend.
What about Tropical Storm Dolly?
Tropical Storm Dolly formed in the central Atlantic on Thursday, Aug. 27. It coincidentally shares a name with music icon Dolly Parton, who died just days before the storm formed.
The storm is expected to be short-lived as it meets wind shear and dry air. It is expected to weaken on Aug. 28, but there is a chance it could reorganize next week if parts of it remain. It is creeping west toward the Leeward Islands, but is expected to degenerate into a tropical wave before it reaches the islands.
Maya Washburn is a Trending News Reporter for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at mwashburn@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: When will Palm Beach County cool down? Your hot weather forecast
