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7 First Alert Summer Outlook: Expect above average temperatures

Posted at 7:05 PM, May 10, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-10 23:14:22-04

 After a weekend that felt more like March than May, many Western New Yorkers may be worried about the upcoming summer. But 7 First Alert says you shouldn't be!

Last year a few flakes fell in May as well. Do you remember how the summer of 2016 turned out?

June, July and August combined to be the third warmest summer in Buffalo history. August generated the warmest average temperature in nearly 150 years.

And when it came to rain, it was hard to come by. June and July browned the grass and stressed crops across the region before August showers finally arrived to save the day.

Now after a mild winter and warm spring, Lake Erie is already running near record warmth. However, our lake doesn't hold the key to summer weather. That is controlled by a much larger body of water.

Last year, we experienced a 'super El Nino,' which kept temperatures along the Pacific Coast and right here in Western New York well above normal. This year El Nino is weak. It is, however, expected to strengthen as the summer progresses. And for that reason, we will again see temperatures again above normal but not quite as hot as last year.

As for precipitation, expect near normal rainfall amounts, making this summer wetter than last year but far from being the washout we've seen over the past two weeks.

Chin up, Western New Yorkers. Milder, drier weather is right around the corner.