With the unofficial start of the summer — Memorial Day weekend — just around the corner, preliminary weather forecasts indicate that the season might see record-level heatwaves and rainstorms.
This could include an above average number of hurricanes — apparently 14 of them will be serious enough to get named, according to meteorology researchers at Colorado State University.
AccuWeather says the hurricanes will hit the northeastern and mid-Atlantic states along the coast. There will also be rainstorms all across the southern portion of the U.S. throughout the summer.
Heatwaves and Rainstorms
The expected high temperatures in much of the U.S. will continue a trend that has become the norm for most of the past two decades: hotter than average summers that just might reach toward record territory.
In fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the summers of 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2016 rank among the top 10 hottest summers of the past century-and-a-quarter.
In some parts of the U.S., the intense heat will be accompanied by drought, and in some of those areas, there could be the increased risk of wildfires, particularly in southern California.
So what does this seasonal forecast mean for you and your finances?
Get Ready for Summer
For starters, make sure you have at least one good fan that works — don’t wait until a heatwave to obtain one or you’ll probably pay top price for it.
If your home has air conditioning, now’s a good time to make sure the entirety of it is clean and functioning — if not, take care of it right away so you don’t get stuck in a bind during peak season.
If you live in an area that’s prone to drought, stock up on water if possible. Also get at least one emergency kit ready in case of wildfires. Stash one in your home near an exit, put another one in your car, and another at the office.
People who live along the coastline or other areas prone to hurricanes should also check to see whether their emergency kits are good to go.
Even if you don’t live in a hurricane-prone area, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared for the likelihood of flooding.
Whatever you can do to prepare for the season’s extreme weather will help you get through it with minimized discomfort.
Readers, are you ready for potentially record-setting weather this summer? What’s your opinion about the seasonal forecast and climate change? Please let us know your thoughts by posting in the comments section beneath this article.
Read More
If you liked this article, you might like these other stories about personal finance issues related to the weather.
- Climate Change Warning: Gulf Stream Currents at 1,600 Year Low
- Will Climate Change Mean the End of Coffee?
- 10 Ways Global Warming May Affect Your Finances
- Beware of Hysteria Marketing: Premade Emergency Kits Are Ripoffs
- California Declares Drought Emergency: Easy Ways to Save Water
- An Air Pollution Mask Might Save Your Life
- Can You Buy Last-Minute Hurricane Insurance?
- How to Rebuild When There’s a Severe Shortage of Construction Workers
- Underground Shelters for Climate Change and Geopolitical Threats
- Protect Yourself Against Mosquitoes and Tick Bites This Summer
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