The 90-degree day that I forecasted last Thursday didn't quite materialize, (But it did hit 89 degrees, so what's a degree among friends?) and so June will end without a single day with a high of 90 degrees. The normal number of 90-degree days in June is FIVE, and not since 1992 have we experienced a June without any 90-degree days. Surely, July will bring the arrive of some sustained heat...right? Yes, I do think we'll hit 90 degrees multiple times in July, but we may need to wait a week or more for that to happen. Here's why.

The pattern that's dominated since the beginning April just will not break down. Don't ask me to give you a precise reason why (but it probably has something to do with changing sea-surface temperatures and a "quiet" sun), but the jet stream continues in a very Spring-like configuration with strong disturbances tracking along the US-Canadian border and then digging into the Northeastern US with cold fronts in tow. The result has been cooler-than-normal daytime highs in the mean, as well as an above normal number of showers (and total rainfall). The next system will dig into the Northeast for a visit lasting tonight through early Thursday, so expect lots of clouds, cooler temps, and passing showers from time to time.

Some improvement is likely later Thursday into the start of the weekend as this system lifts out of the northeast....and before another system possibly arrives late in the weekend. Therefore, I will speculate that Friday and the 4th of July could turn nicer with sunny skies, moderate humidity, and highs in the low 80s. This, of course, is not a "lock"--not in this pattern! Check back on Wednesday for the next update.