We are 109 days into the year 2024, and we have yet to feel our first 90-degree day here in Fort Myers. This is quite a difference from 2023, when we hit 90 degrees on Feb. 24. This leads to the looming question... are we on track to break a record for the latest "first 90-degree day?"The simple answer to that question is no. It is unlikely we are on our way to breaking that record or even making it into the top 5 list. We are forecasting the first 90-degree day to happen this weekend and even if we do not hit 90, there are several more opportunities in the coming week. What is the record for the latest date?To make the top 5 list, we would have to wait until at minimum May 24 - that day is over a month away and we are already tracking a warmer pattern for Southwest Florida. At this rate, it would be hard to slide into that 5th position or higher as the list does not begin until near the end of May through June.What is even more unlikely is hitting the number one spot. The latest we have waited to hit 90 degrees in a calendar year in Fort Myers is June 13. This occurred in 1970, a year filled with quite the weather surprises and phenomena, including a retrograde - and no we are not talking about Mercury in retrograde.The Long-Wave Retrograde of 1970A majority of the United States is positioned on the globe in an area known as the westerlies, where the prevailing wind is west to east. This is why most of our weather systems move from the west to the east. Here in Southern Florida, we are in the middle of the westerlies and the trade winds. This is why systems can move from both directions.In 1970, a phenomenon occurred where the large-scale pattern of winds across the majority of the U.S. retrograded. An area of high pressure across the western seaboard did not move further into the country toward the Rockies, but rather it was moved back into the Eastern Pacific. This led to a large dip in the jet stream, setting up an area of low pressure across a large portion of the country, which remained fairly persistent through March.This big dip in the jet stream produced more fronts or systems with big rains, especially across the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, in March of 1970, we recorded a record amount of rain at 18.58 inches. This is nearly 8 inches more than our highest average monthly rain, which typically occurs in August.This rainy month set back the temperature trend for Southwest Florida. However, things quickly turned in April. In April, the skies dried up and we only picked up a trace of rain the whole month. This made April of 1970 the driest April on record to date. Quite the contradiction the month prior. This is part of the reason why we had such a delayed 90-degree day in 1970.When is our average "first 90-degree day"So, when do we typically hit 90-degrees? We are on track to be near our normal date to slightly past. Based on records from The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay dating back to 1900, on average our first 90-degree day in Fort Myers occurs around April 16.With high pressure to our east set to stay in place this weekend, there is a chance that we will finally hit the first 90-degree day of 2024, and if we do not, there are a couple more opportunities next week.
FORT MYERS, Fla. —
We are 109 days into the year 2024, and we have yet to feel our first 90-degree day here in Fort Myers. This is quite a difference from 2023, when we hit 90 degrees on Feb. 24. This leads to the looming question... are we on track to break a record for the latest "first 90-degree day?"
The simple answer to that question is no. It is unlikely we are on our way to breaking that record or even making it into the top 5 list. We are forecasting the first 90-degree day to happen this weekend and even if we do not hit 90, there are several more opportunities in the coming week.
What is the record for the latest date?
To make the top 5 list, we would have to wait until at minimum May 24 - that day is over a month away and we are already tracking a warmer pattern for Southwest Florida. At this rate, it would be hard to slide into that 5th position or higher as the list does not begin until near the end of May through June.
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What is even more unlikely is hitting the number one spot. The latest we have waited to hit 90 degrees in a calendar year in Fort Myers is June 13. This occurred in 1970, a year filled with quite the weather surprises and phenomena, including a retrograde - and no we are not talking about Mercury in retrograde.
The Long-Wave Retrograde of 1970
A majority of the United States is positioned on the globe in an area known as the westerlies, where the prevailing wind is west to east. This is why most of our weather systems move from the west to the east. Here in Southern Florida, we are in the middle of the westerlies and the trade winds. This is why systems can move from both directions.
In 1970, a phenomenon occurred where the large-scale pattern of winds across the majority of the U.S. retrograded. An area of high pressure across the western seaboard did not move further into the country toward the Rockies, but rather it was moved back into the Eastern Pacific. This led to a large dip in the jet stream, setting up an area of low pressure across a large portion of the country, which remained fairly persistent through March.
This big dip in the jet stream produced more fronts or systems with big rains, especially across the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, in March of 1970, we recorded a record amount of rain at 18.58 inches. This is nearly 8 inches more than our highest average monthly rain, which typically occurs in August.
This rainy month set back the temperature trend for Southwest Florida. However, things quickly turned in April. In April, the skies dried up and we only picked up a trace of rain the whole month. This made April of 1970 the driest April on record to date. Quite the contradiction the month prior. This is part of the reason why we had such a delayed 90-degree day in 1970.
When is our average "first 90-degree day"
So, when do we typically hit 90-degrees? We are on track to be near our normal date to slightly past. Based on records from The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay dating back to 1900, on average our first 90-degree day in Fort Myers occurs around April 16.
With high pressure to our east set to stay in place this weekend, there is a chance that we will finally hit the first 90-degree day of 2024, and if we do not, there are a couple more opportunities next week.
