Today in New York City Weather History: June 3

June 3 is the average date of the year's first low temperature in the 70s.  It's happened as early as April 14 (in 2023) and as late as July 16 (in 2009).  A little more than half of the days with the first 70-degree low also had afternoon highs in the 90s. 

Additionally, in the years since 1960, June 3 has been the calendar date most likely to see measurable precipitation, with measurable rain (0.01" or more) falling in 38 of the 66 years, or 58% of them.  (A typical date during these years has had measurable precipitation in one-third of the years.)  

 

1895 (Monday)

This was the last day of an early season heat wave, which lasted five days.  After starting with a high of 90°, three highs of 96° followed; and today's high was 95° (but after a cold front moved through, the temperature dropped to 63° by midnight).  The highs of June 1-3 were all records that are still standing. 

1980 (Tuesday)

Two thunderstorms produced significant amounts of rain; the first dumped 0.52" from 9-10 AM, and then 0.43" fell between 3-4 PM.  It was also a warm day, with a high of 84°/low of 67°, eight degrees above average.  Total rainfall for the day was 1.08", the first time an inch of rain fell on this date (it's happened three additional times since then). 

 

 1983 (Friday)

This was the seventh year in a row that rain fell on this date.  This year's rain began after dark and amounted to 0.16" by midnight (and 0.43" poured down between midnight and 1 AM on 6/4). 

1985 (Monday)

Today's high of 85° would be the warmest reading of the entire month, the coolest maximum temperature for any June since 1916 (when the warmest reading was 84°).

1991 (Monday)

During a nighttime thunderstorm, 1.72" of rain poured down in the 45 minutes between 10:07-10:52 PM.  And in a 15-minute period between 10:23-10:38 PM, 0.84" fell.  Today was also the eleventh day in a row in which the high temperature was 80° or warmer.  (As well as 20 of the past 24 days.)

 

1996 (Monday)

3.01" of rain fell in a 12-hour period (8 AM-8 PM), more than what fell during the entire month of May.  It was also a record for the date, and the biggest June rainstorm since 1984. 

Today's high was only 61°, fifteen degrees below average.  The AM low of 54° was the third and last day of the month with a low in the 50s - the fewest in June in the years since 1970 (until 2024, when there was just one such reading).  This would also be the last low in the 50s until 9/14, the longest period on record with lows of 60°+. 

2006 (Saturday)

Between 7 PM on June 1 and 3 PM today, 4.52" of rain fell. 

2007 (Sunday)

Rain from the remnants of tropical storm Barry began in the evening and by midnight 1.62" had fallen.  This was the fifth year in a row in which rain fell on this date.  An additional 2.29" would fall during the morning of 6/4.

 

2021 (Thursday)

Showers late in the morning, and during the evening (amounting to 0.38") made this the 15th year of the past 21 (since 2001) to have measurable rain on this date. 

2023 (Friday)

After yesterday's sunny and hot conditions (high of 91°) today was overcast and cool with afternoon temperatures only in the mid-60s after winds shifted to an easterly-northeasterly direction.  

2024 (Sunday)

Ironically, on the average date of the first low in the 70s, this year reported the first such low on 6/3 (in the years since 1970). Up until this year, it had been the only date in June not to report a 70+ low.