"Summer of 2023 was Earth's hottest since global records began in 1880, according to scientists at NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies (GISS) in New York. The months of June, July, and August combined were 0.41 degrees Fahrenheit (0.23 degrees Celsius) warmer than any other summer in NASA's record, and 2.1 degrees F (1.2 C) warmer than the average summer between 1951 and 1980. August alone was 2.2 F (1.2 C) warmer than the average. June through August is considered meteorological summer in the Northern Hemisphere. This new record comes as exceptional heat swept across much of the world, exacerbating deadly wildfires in Canada and Hawaii, and searing heat waves in South America, Japan, Europe, and the U.S., while likely contributing to severe rainfall in Italy, Greece, and Central Europe. "Summer 2023's record-setting temperatures aren't just a set of numbers – they result in dire real-world consequences. From sweltering temperatures in Arizona and across the country, to wildfires across Canada, and extreme flooding in Europe and Asia, extreme weather is threatening lives and livelihoods around the world," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "The impacts of climate change are a threat to our planet and future generations, threats that NASA and the Biden-Harris Administration are tackling head on."

See more from NOAA HERE:

The average temperature in the Twin Cities this summer (June 1st - August 31st) was +2.8F above average and the 5th warmest summer on record at MSP. Note that last year (2022) was the 14th warmest summer on record and 2021 was the warmest summer on record at MSP!

Believe it or not, MSP only picked up 5.79" of rain this summer, which was -7.19" below average and good enough for the 7th driest summer on record at MSP. Last year it was the 10th driest on record.

It has been a hot summer with (32) days with highs at 90F degrees or warmer. This is the 6th most number of 90F degree days on record, the most recent being 1988 when there were 44 days.

Here's a list of all the 90F degree days that we've seen so far this year. The hottest days, were back to back on August 22nd and 23rd, when the MSP hit 98F and heat index values peaking around 110F to 120F around the metro. We also hit 98F on September 4th, but the dewpoint wasn't as high, so the heat index wasn't as intense. Uffda!

Looking at the last 30 years, the average number of 90F days at the MSP Airport is (14). July is the hottest month with an average of (6) 90F days. This year we've had (23) 90F days, last year we had (18) days in the 90s and in 2021 there were (27) days in the 90s. The most number of 90F days in any single year was (44) set in 1988.

According to the MN DNR, there is already a little fall color showing up across parts of the state. Note that peak color typically arrives along the International border around mid to late September. It could be a little later this year, but cooler nights ahead will help to get the fall colors underway.

According to the MN DNR, typical peak color arrives across the international border mid to late September with peak color arriving near the Twin Cities late September to mid October. It won't be long now and you'll be able to find your favorite fall color in a backyard near you.

The good news is that Nigel will be a "Fish Storm" and stay over open waters of the Atlantic. A cool front moving off of the East Coast will help to steer Nigel farther east and away from Bermuda. By this weekend, Nigel will approach the UK, Scotland and Ireland in the northeast Atlantic.

According to NOAA's NHC, the Atlantic basin is still quite active. There are 2 other waves that they are watching, one of the waves located off the Carolina Coast has a low probability of formation over the next 7 days and the other is in the eastern Atlantic, which has a high probability of formation.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th, but did you know that the typical peak is September 10th? This is when the Atlantic Basin has had the most hurricanes and named storms since records began. This is also when weather conditions are at optimal levels for these types of storms.

Drought continues and expanded from last week with a little more than 1% of the state in an Exceptional drought. Nearly 19% of the state is now in an Extreme drought, while more than 60% of the state is in a Severe drought, which includes much of the Twin Cities metro. 3 months ago, 77% of the state was considered abnormally dry, with nearly 19% in a moderate drought, so things have certainly gotten much worse since then.

Well it's looking increasingly more likely that we'll get some substantial rainfall somewhere across the Upper Midwest, including parts of Minnesota. According to NOAA's WPC, there could be some 1" to 2" (or more) tallies across Minnesota through next weekend. It's not set in stone yet, but we could really use the rain! Stay tuned...

The weather outlook on Wednesday shows temps warming into the 70s and 80s across much of the state, which will be nearly +10F to +15F above average for mid-September. A few locations and especially those optimistic bank thermometers could sneak up close to that 90F mark!

The weather outlook for the Twin Cities on Wednesday, September 20th will be dry and quiet with temps warming into the upper mid 80s, which will be nearly +15F above average for this time of the year. There will be a mix of sun and clouds, but skies will remain dry and sunny.

Weather conditions for Minneapolis on Wednesday will be warm and dry throughout the day. Temps will start around 60F in the morning (average overnight low is 53F) and will warm into the mid 80s by the afternoon (average daytime high is 71F). Skies will remain dry with breezy southerly winds around 15mph.

The max dewpoint forecast for Minneapolis shows dewpoint readings warming into the low/mid 60s over the next few days, which will be a little more humid or summerlike, especially for this time of the year.

The 7 day extended weather outlook through mid month shows warmer than average temperatures through the rest of the week. It'll be mostly dry until the end when a slow moving storm system rolls into town. This storm could bring a better chance of a soaking rain to parts of the state. Not great timing, but we'll take the rain!

According to NOAA's National Blend of Models, temperatures through the rest of the week will continue to run above average with readings in the upper 70s and low/mid 80s. The warmest day will be Wednesday with highs around 85F in the Twin Cities. It doesn't appear to last too long as readings fall back into the low/mid 70s by the weekend and through the last full week of September.

The weather outlook in the Midwest through next weekend will become more unsettled, especially late week and into the weekend as a slow-moving storm system blows into town. Prior to that, it'll be warm and dry through midweek. The weekend will trend wetter and cooler as the storm system drifts overhead.

According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, the 8 to 14 day temperature outlook shows Warmer than average temperatures across much of the nation and especially across the Midwest late month and early October. It'll be a little cooler across the West Coast.

Odds favor a super-sized summer season this year with 70s and a few 80s extending into October. Winter hasn't been canceled, but it will probably be postponed. One of the few silver linings to a warming climate, coupled with a raging El Nino in the Pacific.

According to Praedictix meteorologist DJ Kayser, the 32 days at/above 90F in the metro ties for the 6th most on record. Meteorological Summer (June 1 to September 1) was 2.8F warmer than average; the 5thwarmest on record. A rainfall deficit of 7.19" made it the 7th driest since 1871.

The weekend is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Weather models keep flip-flopping on rainfall amounts. Many of us will pick up .25 to .5" with a few 1"+ amounts over far southern Minnesota.

Temperatures into Friday will be more typical of early August than late September with 80s, maybe a few 90-degree highs south and west of MSP today. Plenty warm, with less humidity and fewer bugs.

This is why September is the most under-rated month of the year.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of t-showers. Winds: S 10. Low: 62.

THURSDAY: Sunny, breezy and warm. Winds: SE 10-20. High 83.

FRIDAY: Partly sunny, still lukewarm. Winds: SE 10-20. Wake-up: 60. High 80.

SATURDAY: A few T-storms in the area. Winds: E 10-20. Wake-up: 61. High: 76.

SUNDAY: More numerous showers, T-storms. Winds: NE 10-20. Wake-up: 59. High: 70.

TUESDAY: Drier with partial clearing. Winds: NW 8-13. Wake-up: 56. High: 72.

September 20th

2001: 3/4 to 1 3/4 inch hail falls in Freeborn and Faribault counties.

1972: A downpour in Duluth produces 5 1/2 inches in ten hours.

September 20th

Average Low: 53F (Record: 28F set in 1962)

Record Rainfall: 3.28" set in 2018

Record Snowfall: Trace set in 1927

September 20th

Sunrise: 6:57am

Hours of Daylight: ~12 hours & 17 minutes

Daylight LOST since yesterday: 3 Minutes & 6 Seconds

Daylight LOST since Summer Solstice (June 21st): ~ 3 Hour & 20 Minutes

1.5 Days Before First Quarter Moon

Temperatures on Wednesday will be fairly mild across the middle part of the country with temps warming into the 80s and 90s, which will be above average for this time of the year. Folks along the West Coast will actually be a little cooler as a storm system begins moving into the Pacific Northwest.

The weather outlook through Thursday turns more unsettled across the Northwest as a storm system moves in. This will be responsible for widespread areas of rain and thunder with high elevation snow mixing in as well. The storm will slowly push east and will bring soaking rains to parts of the Midwest as we approach the weekend.

The extended precipitation outlook shows areas of heavy rainfall across the East Coast as an area of low pressure develops and slides north. We'll also see some heavier precipitation potential in the coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest and across the Central US as we head into the weekend ahead.

The Royal Meteorological Society has announced the 2021 winners of its popular annual Weather Photographer of the Year competition. Giulio Montini's spectacular photo Morning Fog, taken on an opaque autumn day from a small church on a hilltop in the town of Airuno, Italy, took top prize. The photograph was one of many entries that celebrated the beauty of weather. Of a shortlist of 21 images chosen from over 8,900 photos taken by more than 3,300 photographers from 114 countries, Morning Fog was chosen as the overall winner by an esteemed international panel of judges. The Royal Meteorological Society is the UK's Professional and Learned Society for weather and climate. Working to strengthen the science and raise awareness of the importance of weather and climate, support meteorological professionals and inspire enthusiasts.

See more from Science Focus HERE:

"Here on Earth, we're used to one primary view of thunderstorms: from the ground, looking up. You might also have seen footage of storms from various points in Earth's atmosphere, showing how water builds up into clouds and generates thunder and lightning. You sometimes see footage of large hurricanes captured by Earth-monitoring satellites from the very high orbits where they operate. But a very small number of people experience a totally different view of thunderstorms: the astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS orbits around 250 miles above the Earth's surface, far above the clouds but below the 310 to 370 mile region where most Earth-observation satellites orbit. That gives the astronauts staying on the station a unique view of weather conditions on Earth, especially when it comes to large thunderstorms, which can be seen from high above."

"After more than a year of drought, some heartland towns are searching for new sources of drinking water and restricting usage. James Rainbolt typically can tackle most problems at his rural water plant with some extra time or money. But he can't fix this. "I just can't make it rain," he said. Like others across southeast Kansas, Rainbolt remains helpless as he watches a persistent drought dry up the local water supply. He runs a public wholesale water supply district that provides the drinking water for several cities and rural water districts. The lack of rain has been so severe that it's now threatening the water district's intake pipe, which brings water from a local lake to the treatment plant. As lake levels fall, the angle at which the 8-inch pipe meets a floating pump station grows steeper and steeper, stressing the flexible joint. If the joint breaks, the consequences would be catastrophic, instantly cutting the water supply for thousands of people, businesses and schools across three counties."

See more from Kansas Reflector HERE: