Eastern Cities Reach All-Time Highs On This Date

The Northeast, Midwest, Plains, and Rocky Mountain regions have recently been hit by multiple winter storms. Yet, looking back, there was a remarkable day of unseasonal warmth. On this date in 1982, New York City's Central Park recorded a high of 72F, which was 26 degrees above the typical December 4 average and surpassed the previous December record by 2 degrees.

Several other cities also experienced record highs that day: Richmond, Virginia reached 77F, Washington, D.C. climbed to 75F, and Baltimore, Maryland hit 74F. Even Portland, Maine, with a high of 69F, exceeded its prior record by 12 degrees.

Boston saw temperatures remain unusually mild, with a low of 57F that morning compared to the average high of 45F. This set a new record for the warmest overnight low in December, a record that still stands today. The warmth was fueled by strong southerly and southeasterly winds ahead of a strengthening low-pressure system moving out of Texas.

The extraordinary temperatures of December 4, 1982, remain a memorable example of rare winter warmth in the eastern United States.

Author: Lucas Grant