Halloween may take an unexpected turn this year, with record-high temperatures forecasted for parts of the U.S. northeast and Great Lakes region.
In a bizarre twist, Halloween revelers in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia may experience conditions more akin to summer, with temperatures set to soar past 80°F (27°C), up to 20°F above typical seasonal norms.
These temperatures could make Halloween in Boston the second warmest on record, potentially reaching a balmy 80°F – just shy of the 1946 record of 81°F (27°C).
Similar highs are anticipated in Philadelphia and New York City, where temperatures are also projected to flirt with all-time highs for this time of year.
Meanwhile, other parts of the country are facing vastly different Halloween weather.
Other parts of the country are facing vastly different Halloween weatherSevere thunderstorms are expected in regions from Indianapolis to Shreveport, Louisiana, while residents in Duluth, Minnesota, and certain Rocky Mountain areas may need to bundle up in snow boots.
These unusual temperature patterns are linked to climate variability, which has contributed to prolonged drought across nearly half of the United States.
Drought conditions are particularly pronounced in the Great Plains and Midwest, where areas are experiencing drought levels of at least moderate severity.
Some regions, like Philadelphia, are on track to record an entire month without rain for the first time since 1871.
In the Midwest, a staggering 66% is affected by drought, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center.
Furthermore, the formation of La Niña in the Pacific is expected, which could influence winter conditions, though its effect is currently unpredictable.
Should La Niña develop, it might bring cooler, wetter conditions to the northern U.S., while the southern states may face drier weather, impacting energy demand and agricultural projections nationwide.