US News

Perfect beach weather for much of the US this Labor Day weekend

By
Social Links for Deirdre Bardolf
Published Sep. 2, 2023
Updated Sep. 2, 2023, 4:40 p.m. ET

Labor Day weekend is here, but there is no need to kiss summer goodbye just yet.

Several more beach days are on the horizon, meteorologists say, and heat and humidity are set to linger a little longer.

The long weekend will grow progressively warmer and more humid, said Dan Pydynowski, senior meteorologist for AccuWeather, with Monday being the hottest and most humid for the New York City area.

Sunday is expected to be sunny, with a high near 90 degrees. Some clouds will come in Monday, but it will be even hotter — reaching as high as 93 degrees, the National Weather Service forecast.

But beach goers beware: Hurricane Idalia — which made landfall in Florida on Wednesday as a Category 3 storm — is still churning up the waters along the Atlantic, causing hazardous rip currents and rough surf.

Surfer walks boardwalk in Rockaway with board on head.
Surf’s up this weekend as high temperatures toast much of the U.S. but swimmers should beware of rough waters following storms off the Eastern Seaboard. Getty Images
Two women sunbath on the grass in Tompkins Square Park with other sunbathers nearby.
New Yorkers soaked up the sun in Tompkins Square Park this week. Helayne Seidman

“The combination of a couple of storms off the Eastern seaboard have really stirred up the water,” said Pydynowski. While Idalia was making landfall in Florida, Hurricane Franklin was moving up the coast, though the storm stayed over the ocean.

The combination means that for beaches along the south shore of Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, life threatening rip currents are possible, the National Weather Service warned. On the New Jersey coast, tthe risk level is higher, with rip currents likely.

“The general rule for people — and we always say this, but especially now — is to be cautious as they’re heading into the water. And they will be, given how hot it’s getting,” said Pydynowski.

Map shows scorching temps across the US this Labor Day.
Temperature records are expected to be broken this holiday weekend as parts of the central and eastern United States sizzle. FOX Weather
Saturday Sunday and Monday will bring record-setting temps to the U.S., impacting over 200 million people, maps show.
The eastern half of the country is predicted to experience higher temperatures than average this week, impacting over 200 million people. FOX Weather
A group of picnic tables full of beach goers in the Rockaways.
Summer continues for the New York City area this holiday weekend as temperatures on Monday are expected to be over 90 degrees with lots of sun and humidity. Getty Images

While the New York City area can prepare to bake over the holiday, temperatures in other parts of the country are dialing up to potentially record breaking numbers.

A heatwave rolling eastward through the Great Plains will scorch South Dakota to Texas with 100-degree temperatures, according to AccuWeather.

Minneapolis could break or surpass records from 1925 as temps near 100 degrees.

“The general theme for a lot of the nation for the holiday weekend is warmth,” Pydynowski added.

The heat will continue into the week, including for the first day back for city public schools on Thursday, when temps will be about 90.