Rain, rain go away? Forecasters predict summer heat waves

It's been a damp and chilly spring on top of a damp and chilly week.

But AccuWeather forecasters say this weather pattern is about to change as a strong El Niño fades.

The long-range forecast: there's a hot summer in store for the mid-Atlantic and New England and hot and humid weather for the South Atlantic.

For Philadelphia, that could mean 35 days when the temperature could be 90 degrees or higher. The summer norm for Philadelphia is 24 days when the temperature hits 90 or more. In Washington, D.C., there will be even more very hot days: 46 compared to a normal summer when there are 31 90-degree or higher days.

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In Delaware, rain and clouds are in the forecast through Saturday as a series of low pressure systems move through the region. By Sunday -- just in time for Mother's Day -- the forecast is for sun mixed with clouds and temperatures in the low 70s.

There's been plenty of rain in the last 24 hours with a peak, 24-hour rainfall at Laurel Airport of .79th of an inch, according to the University of Delaware's Delaware Environmental Observing System.

Meanwhile, the accumulation of rain over the last several days has been significant throughout the state.

AccuWeather forecasters believe the heat wave will start in June in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. But conditions in July are more uncertain.

"July is a tricky month where there may be a few cool-downs from thunderstorms and back door fronts, but other than that I think June, July and August, you'll see your series of heat waves," AccuWeather Expert Long-Range Forecaster Paul Pastelok said.

By late summer, the heat could lead to dry conditions. There are concerns of a threat of fire across the Northeast.

Reach Molly Murray at (302) 463-3334 or mmurray@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @MollyMurraytnj.