Long Range Forecast Predicts Heat About To Hit NYC

NEW YORK CITY — The snow's barely melted in New York City, but long range forecasters are predicting the first summery blast of heat is already almost upon us.

Mid-April is expected to see an early hot spell, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, and it will herald a summer that will be more sweltering than normal.

"April and May will be warmer and drier than normal, with an early hot spell in early to mid-April," the forecast says.

"Summer will be hotter than normal, with the hottest periods in early and mid-June, early to mid-July and early to mid-August."

The forecast warns of a hurricane hitting the northeast region in early August and a possible tropical storm in early to mid-September.

With Saturday, March 20, being the first day of spring, New Yorkers are looking forward to an end of what turned out to be a cold and reasonably snowy winter.

April's hot spell is predicted to hit between the 8th and the 13th. Average temperatures for the month are expected to be 5 degrees higher than normal, with rainfall 1 inch below average.

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The Almanac's weather forecast methodology comes from a secret formula that was created by its founder, Robert Thomas, in 1792. The exact prediction process remains a secret, but the periodical discloses it uses solar science, climatology and meteorology to make its forecasts.

The Old Farmer's Almanac, which is not to be confused with its rival forecast predictor, Farmers' Almanac, is North America's oldest continuously published periodical, according to its website.