It feels like summer today, but you might need to turn on the furnace soon
Wednesday’s temperatures in the 70s and lower 80s are nearly 20 degrees above average. If you didn’t turn on your furnace a bit ago, you certainly haven’t needed to recently. As a matter of fact, I’ll bet a few folks were tempted to use the air conditioning to sleep on Tuesday night.
For some, there is a badge of honor in not turning the heat on until a certain date. I know a number of folks who don’t want to put on the heat until November 1. For the record, mine went on when the inside of the house hit 58 degrees—anything under 60 is when I am OK using the furnace.
During the next few days, even though it’s going to be cooler, you can probably get by without the heat. The residual warmth from Wednesday’s summer-like temperatures will stay in an enclosed home for a bit of time. If your house is well-insulated, temperatures inside should stay in the 60s through Saturday.
The problem with avoiding turning on the heat will likely come Sunday through at least the first part of next week, when temperatures will trend below average. Even if it’s sunny, the low angle of the sun and the shorter days will combine to lessen the opportunity for passive solar heating. Each night, the interior temperature of our homes will fall without added heat, and recover less and less with each passing day.
The upcoming temperature trend is clear, and it’s down. The graph below from the Global Forecast System shows that we may have a day or two next week when readings will struggle to make it into the 50s. That will be nearly 30 degrees colder than our warmest readings this week.
Next week appears to be setting up to be cooler than average.
By early next week, a freestanding building in the shade will likely find temperatures in the mid-50s—rather cold for most. If you live on the upper floor of a building and the folks below you put their heat on, you will no doubt notice it’s not nearly as cold. I know one couple in Boston that’s made it into December without the heat because their downstairs neighbors like it so warm!
Speaking of December, don’t count on last year’s super warm December repeating itself. You’ll need the heat this year for sure.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com