Temperatures rise above normal in the northeastern US on Halloween

Children in the northeastern United States who in previous years bundled up under their Bluey or Beetlejuice costumes were now able to comfortably navigate neighborhoods in unusually mild temperatures.

New York hit 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27.2 degrees Celsius) on Halloween, and Boston hit 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25.5 degrees Celsius). In Caribou, Maine, a high temperature of 75°F (23.8°C) was recorded, well above the Halloween average of 47°F (8°C).

In Buffalo, New York, a record temperature of 25.5°C (78°F) was recorded, a year after light snow fell on Halloween.

In Schenectady, parents walked their children dressed as ninjas, superheroes and princesses through residential streets before the sun set. The temperature was around 70°F (20°C), and people were enjoying it.

“It’s not a typical Halloween by any means,” Tom Kaczmarek said while accompanying his 4-year-old daughter, dressed as a ghost. “But it’s nice to not have to cover our daughter with a coat, so she can wear her costume completely and proudly.”

Emma Abraham, 12, said she was a little hot in her Joker costume, but she was going to hold on.

“These temperatures are, on average, about 20 degrees (Fahrenheit) warmer than normal,” said Samantha Borisoff, a climatologist at Cornell University’s Northeast Regional Climate Center. He noted that the weather can vary greatly in October, a transition month between seasons.

“So every Halloween can be very different,” Borisoff explained.

This year was very different from 2011, when heavy, wet snow fell in New York’s Hudson Valley region just before Halloween. At this time in 2012, the New York City metropolitan area was still not recovering after Superstorm Sandy devastated the northeast coast on October 29, causing an estimated $65 billion in damage.

As night fell Thursday, it was warm and dry for the costumed performers and crowds of spectators who filled the streets of New York City’s Greenwich Village neighborhood for the Village’s 51st annual Halloween Parade. Cat costumes, from cute to spooky, dominated in keeping with this year’s theme: “meow.”

Elsewhere, in parts of eastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, the first snow of the season was falling Thursday. The U.S. National Weather Service said there was great uncertainty about accumulations because the ground is still warm. Snow melted as it hit the pavement in downtown Minneapolis.

But those heading out to enjoy the Halloween holiday in the Northeast will enjoy the unusual temperatures while they last. Temperatures are expected to return to normal ranges starting Friday.

Nelson Rose wore a scary clown mask with wig under the Schenectady sun at the end of the day, but said he was comfortable while pushing a double stroller for his grandchildren.

“It’s the end of October and we still have this 70-degree” Fahrenheit (21°C) weather, he said. “I’m not complaining at all.”

Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channelsYouTube, WhatsApp and to newsletter. Turn on notifications and follow us on Facebook, x and Instagram.