After Irma, summer temperatures to return to York County

The rain and wind of Irma will give way to a return of summer-like weather this week across York County and the rest of the Carolinas.

After several weeks of below-average temperatures, forecasters say the new pattern will produce afternoon highs that reach or slightly exceed the averages for mid-September.

As the remnants of Irma moved farther northwest Tuesday, the rain and wind tapered off.

The highest gust in the area was 55 mph, measured late Monday afternoon at the airport in Lancaster. Rock Hill’s peak measured gust was 32 mph, but winds across the area frequently reached 40 mph Monday evening. Those winds were enough to knock down trees and force a two-hour delay in school openings Tuesday.

With the heaviest rain from the storm falling in the Charleston area and in Georgia, only 1.16 inches was measured at Rock Hill’s airport.

National Weather Service meteorologist Rodney Hinson said a warm front is expected to move from south to north across the Rock Hill area Tuesday, changing the wind directions from east to south or southwest.

“However, they will be lower in speed (than Monday), with little in the way of gusts,” Hinson said.

Temperatures over the next few days will remain a few degrees below the average high for this time of year, 83 degrees, but it will feel balmy compared to recent days. During the rain and wind Monday, temperatures hovered in the upper 50s for much of the day. Instead, highs are expected to climb into the upper 70s for the next few days.

A bit of moisture associated with Irma’s remnants could cause a shower Thursday, but mostly sunny skies are forecast for the weekend. By Saturday, high temperatures are expected to approach 85 degrees.

Meteorologists also say Hurricane Jose, currently north of the Bahamas, does not pose an immediate threat to the Carolinas. Jose is trapped in weak steering currents, but computer guidance indicates the hurricane could begin moving northwest by early this weekend. Most computer models predict the hurricane will curve away from the U.S. coast.

This story was originally published September 12, 2017 at 3:12 PM with the headline "After Irma, summer temperatures to return to York County."