ROCHESTER, N.Y. – This is the kind of weather that puts a smile on your face. Temperatures are climbing quickly this Monday, with highs expected to reach near 70 degrees.
But how does this warmth compare in a broader context? To answer that, we turn to the almanac.
For today, the record high stands at 91 degrees, while the record low is 30 degrees. These figures highlight the historical extremes, but they do not fully capture what is typical for this time of year. A more meaningful benchmark comes from average, or “normal,” temperatures. In Rochester, New York, the average high for early May is around 65 degrees, with a typical low near 44. These values provide a clearer and more practical point of comparison.
So how are these “normals” determined? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) calculates them using 30-year averages. This method smooths out short-term variability, such as unusually warm or cold years, while still reflecting long-term climate patterns. These averages are updated every decade to ensure they remain current.
Over time, those averages have been gradually increasing, a trend consistent with broader climate change signals.
In the short term, however, the focus is on today’s pleasant conditions. Enjoy the mild weather while it lasts, as temperatures are expected to dip below normal in the days ahead.
The post First Alert Weather In-Depth: Putting Monday’s warmth into climatological context appeared first on WHEC.com.
