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Syracuse Could See Record Highs in Heat, Drought this Summer Syracuse Could See Record Highs in Heat and Drought

May was 10th Driest Month on Record in Central New York

By Michael Gross

MICHAEL GROSS: Kennedy, Karl we just got done talking about how may was one of the driest months we have ever had in Central New York. Now it’s the first day of Summer and dry weather is already affecting the area. Experts say it may only get worse.

MARK PELLERITO: We’ve had a little bit of rain in June, roughly normal amounts. But because it was so dry, we’re just again having to play catch up and it’ll take a while.

GROSS: Just one month into the dry season, Central New York is already feeling the effects. No, it has not been abnormally warm yet, there is a good chance we can see temperatures rise above average this summer.

PELLERITO: So when it comes to summertime heat, it’s not one of those things that’s visual like a tornado or as large and impactful as a hurricane. It’s something that unfortunately can harm or even kill you if you’re not careful however.

GROSS: There are ways to combat the heat, like staying inside and drinking lots of water to remain hydrated, but the urban areas can make it worse and increase drought like conditions

PELLERITO: You can get what’s called the urban heat island effect in an urban area. The temperature can be artificially even higher than would ordinarily occur. And at night, long after the sun goes down, that concrete is still radiating heat to the surrounding area, which means even the low temperatures are higher than they ordinarily would be.

GROSS: Back here in the studio, first of all, great soundbites there from Mark from the National Weather Service. Here is climatecheck.com for Syracuse. Let’s go to the Heat Risk. 53 out of 100 is the typical rating, that is the number of hottest days in Syracuse. The average from 1985 to 2005 was seven days over 84.9 degrees. By 2050, though we are projected 32 days per year over 89.4 degrees and that is going to affect the climate in this area as well. The drought risk in Syracuse which is the recent average water stress in Syracuse is low and it’s projected to get even worse. Here’s a stat for you: since 2000, 321 weeks have had some sort of drought in the area which is 28% of our lives since 2000. As of now, Syracuse and Central New York is projected to get hotter and drier as the summer goes on. What you can do to avoid the climate is making sure you’re staying hydrated. Karl, Kennedy.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – From 1985 to 2005, Syracuse had an average of seven days over 89.4° F per year. Climatologists project it to be closer to 32 days by 2050. Much of this disparity is due to climate change.

“We’ve had a little bit of rain in June, roughly normal amounts,” said Mark Pellerito, lead forecaster for the National Weather Service in Binghamton, N.Y. “But because it was so dry, we’re just again having to play catch up and it’ll take a while.”

Just one month into the dry season, Central New York is already feeling the effects. No, it has not been abnormally warm yet, there is a good chance the area can see temperatures rise above average this summer.

“So when it comes to summertime heat, it’s not one of those things that’s visual like a tornado or as large and impactful as a hurricane,” said Pellerito. “It’s something that unfortunately can harm or even kill you if you’re not careful.”

There are ways to combat the heat, like staying inside and drinking lots of water to remain hydrated, but the urban areas can make it worse and increase drought-like conditions.

“You can get what’s called the urban heat island effect in an urban area,” said Pellerito. “The temperature can be artificially even higher than would ordinarily occur. And at night, long after the sun goes down, that concrete is still radiating heat to the surrounding area, which means even the low temperatures are higher than they ordinarily would be.”

According to an online estimation from Climate Check, the Syracuse area has been experiencing record lows in precipitation. The number of hot days (over 89.4° F) in Syracuse is projected to keep increasing and there is a risk of drought increase, meaning the lack of rain is drying out the land.

If you find yourself outside in any excessive heat this summer be sure to know how to combat it. Avoid too much time out in the sun above 80° F, make sure you apply sunscreen as needed and drink a lot of water to stay hydrated.

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