It's finally the beginning of June, marking the official start of summer. While some might think the season doesn't begin until later in June, there are two different dates that define its start.

Astronomically, summer begins on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, determined by the Earth's axis and orbit around the Sun. This year, the summer solstice falls on June 20th. Meteorologically, in the Northern Hemisphere, summer starts on June 1st. This fixed date helps with statistical data processing, defining summer as June, July, and August.

Looking ahead, forecasts are pointing to unusually warm conditions across much of the Continental U.S., with particularly above-average temperatures in the Southwest, including the Four Corners. The Northeast could also see an unusually warm summer.

In terms of rainfall, the eastern U.S. is expected to be wetter than normal, while the western U.S. stays drier than usual. The driest conditions are forecast for the Northwest, despite the very wet start to the season.

It’s worth noting that these are just seasonal forecasts, and regional and temporal variations will occur. It’s always important to check Weather&Radar for the latest weather updates.