Continuing a week of warm and sunny weather, Charlotte flirted with 90 degrees Thursday. If 90 degrees was reached, it would have been the warmest April temperature in Charlotte in fourteen years.
Not since April 6, 2010, has Charlotte seen a 90-degree temperature in April.
An afternoon high temperature of 88 degrees was recorded at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, where the National Weather Service makes the official weather observations for Charlotte, North Carolina.
Hitting 90 degrees in Charlotte in the month of April is extremely rare. It has only happened 21 times since recordkeeping began 145 years ago. This means, there's a 14.5% chance a 90-degree temperature will occur in April during any given year.
While this week's heat wave could have broken a fourteen-year spell in which there was not a 90-degree day in April, none of the historical weather records were broken. The record high temperature for April 18 was set in 1896 at 93 degrees.
"We know that North Carolina is warming," Kathie Dello, the North Carolina state climatologist, told WCNC Charlotte Thursday. "The next three months should be above normal in the Carolinas. So we're expecting this trend to continue."
The best way to stay cool during warm weather is preparation.
- Properly maintaining your air conditioning system will help it work properly. If you do not have an HVAC system, fans can help make the air feel cooler
- Soaking your feet in a bucket of cold water and staying in the shade are ways to reduce your body temperature
- Keeping hydrated with water or other drinks maintains electrolytes
2023 in Charlotte followed global trends of warming temperatures. The last ten consecutive years globally have been the warmest ten on record.
WCNC Charlotte’s Weather IQ YouTube channel gives detailed explainers from the WCNC Charlotte weather meteorologists to help you learn and understand weather, climate and science. Watch previous stories where you can raise your Weather IQ in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded.