September 3 Record Challenging Heat Wave Begins Today

September 3, 2023

Sunday Morning Update

The surge of heat begins today and will last most of the week ahead. At this point, I realize the main focus of the weather forecast will be how hot each afternoon may get and how close each day will get to the record high. With the computer guidance and knowledge of the air mass moving in, we could challenge or break the record high temperatures in Baltimore today and through the middle of the week at least.

The other problem we face is the moderate drought. It may be confined to some areas at last check, but is likely to expand with many sunny days of no rain on top of the heat.

Morning Surface Weather

High Pressure is in control allowing the core of the heat dome to reach the east coast. This air mass initially is dry. So with lower humidity, it will be more tolerable, but still uncomfortable.  That is why we will likely remain mostly sunny to clear.

Morning Temperatures

The numbers have been creeping up, but still comfortably cool. It is feeling more like summer again.

Afternoon Forecast

Here comes the heat! The record high in Baltimore was 97ºF in 1898. We have a good chance to tie or break that at BWI today.

Drought Update

Click the image to see the full report, including Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

CLIMATE DATA: Baltimore

TODAY September 3

Sunrise at 6:37 AM

Sunset at 7:33 PM

Normal Low in Baltimore:  63ºF

Record 46ºF in 1967

Normal High in Baltimore: 84ºF

Record 97ºF 1898

Subscribe for eMail Alerts

Labor Day Temperature Forecast

Monday Morning

Monday Afternoon

Record Highs For Baltimore

These are numbers that may be challenged over the next week.

• (Sun) Sept 3 = 97ºF in 1898
• (Mon) Sept 4 = 96ºF in 2019+
• (Tue) Sept 5 = 96ºF in 1954
• (Wed) Sept 6 = 98ºF in 1983
• (Thu) Sept 7 = 101ºF in 1881
• (Fri) Sept 8 = 100ºF in 1939

Rain Forecast Wednesday Morning To Sunday

We will gradually see the breakdown of the High Pressure and dry air. Showers will show up in the mountains first on Wednesday, then closer to metro areas Thursday afternoon. The odds of rain that day will be 30%.

Then there will be a higher chance for thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday as cooler, more seasonable air returns.

7 Day Forecast

We have a chance to tie or break record highs through Wednesday.

It should be noted that often we get heat waves to last longer than first suggested, so we could challenge records later in the week as well… especially if the risk of rain is diminished or pushed back.

EXPLORE MORE

2023 Hurricane Season Forecast With An El Niño Watch

EARLIER THIS MONTH:  Maryland Trek 10 For These Kids

I will have a follow-up and recap on our amazing week shortly.

Subscribe for eMail Alerts

La Niña Has Ended. El Niño May Return By Fall

Aurora Photos From Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia

Please share your thoughts and best weather pics/videos, or just keep in touch via social media

• Facebook: Justin Berk, Meteorologist

• Twitter

• Instagram

RESTATING MY MESSAGE ABOUT DYSLEXIA

I am aware there are some spelling and grammar typos and occasional other glitches. I take responsibility for my mistakes and even the computer glitches I may miss. I have made a few public statements over the years, but if you are new here, you may have missed it: I have dyslexia and found out during my second year at Cornell University. It didn’t stop me from getting my meteorology degree and being the first to get the AMS CBM in the Baltimore/Washington region. One of my professors told me that I had made it that far without knowing and to not let it be a crutch going forward. That was Mark Wysocki, and he was absolutely correct! I do miss my mistakes in my own proofreading. The autocorrect spell check on my computer sometimes does an injustice to make it worse. I also can make mistakes in forecasting. No one is perfect at predicting the future. All of the maps and information are accurate. The ‘wordy’ stuff can get sticky.  There has been no editor who can check my work when I need it and have it ready to send out in a newsworthy timeline. Barbara Werner is a member of the web team that helps me maintain this site. She has taken it upon herself to edit typos when she is available. That could be AFTER you read this. I accept this and perhaps proves what you read is really from me… It’s part of my charm.

#FITF