Gunnar Consol

After a prolonged stretch of cool, rainy, and at times wintry weather, June arrives with a dramatic change. High pressure settles in this week, driving the warmest and driest prolonged stretch of the year — temperatures climb steadily through mid-week before peaking Thursday near 89°, which would make it one of the warmest days of the year so far. A few isolated showers are still drifting through this afternoon, but those fade after sunset, setting the stage for clearing skies and valley fog in some areas overnight. Shower chances return toward the weekend, but warm temperatures persist well into next week.

Meteorological spring was a wild ride for Vermont and the North Country. There was a 100 degree temperature spread between the coldest wind chill of -10 degrees on March 10 and the warmest heat index of 90 degrees on May 18. While March, April and May ended up slightly warmer than normal overall, it was still Burlington’s coolest spring since 2020. Spring 2026 also gave us Vermont’s first April tornado on record when an EF-1 tornado hit Williamstown on April 16.

A brief but notable warm spell is on the way — temperatures climb into the low 80s Wednesday and peak in the upper 80s Thursday and Friday, with Plattsburgh potentially tying its all-time record high for June 4th. Low humidity keeps the heat manageable throughout, but those sensitive to heat should plan accordingly. The pleasant stretch ends this weekend as a system approaches with scattered showers and thunderstorms Saturday afternoon, followed by steadier rain on Sunday as the front pushes through. Drier and seasonable conditions return to start the week.

A dramatic pattern flip is bringing summer-like heat to the region this week, with temperatures building toward near-record territory by Thursday. Low humidity will keep conditions comfortable throughout the warmup—this is the kind of heat that’s easy to enjoy, though a few simple precautions are still worth keeping in mind.

The heat peaks tomorrow with temperatures reaching 90° — and both Montpelier and Plattsburgh are in position to set new daily record highs for June 4th. Despite the exceptional warmth, low humidity keeps the feel manageable and no heat advisory is expected. Friday stays very hot before the pattern turns more active heading into the weekend. The first truly humid air of the season arrives Saturday, fueling scattered showers and thunderstorms, some of which could be on the stronger side. Steadier rain Saturday night into Sunday could cause minor river rises before high pressure returns next week with another round of heat building toward mid-week.

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - We're at the crossroads of spring ending and summer beginning, and abundant sunshine is ever increasing. After months of gray, overcast skies, we've officially entered the sunniest stretch of the year—and for a region known for it's dark gray winters, that's a meaningful change worth celebrating.

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - The northern lights could put on a show across the region Thursday night into early Friday morning, with a strong geomagnetic storm expected to push the aurora well into our viewing area. If you've never seen the northern lights from Vermont or the North Country, Thursday night will provide one of the best opportunities since a very impressive auroral display this past January 20.

An unsettled weekend follows today’s warmth, with several rounds of showers and thunderstorms expected Saturday into Sunday. The Storm Prediction Center has this area under a Marginal Risk for severe weather Sunday — Level 1 out of 5 — when a low level disturbance could produce stronger storms, including a chance of pea-sized hail. Overall, the probability of severe weather remains low, but the weekend will be unsettled. High pressure returns Monday with a welcome rebound before another round of heat builds quickly through mid to late next week.

Enjoy Tuesday — it will be the last fully sunny and comfortable day for a while. A warm and humid stretch builds through the middle of the week, with daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms likely Wednesday through Friday. Friday will be the hottest and most humid day of the stretch, with temperatures reaching into the lower 90s alongside the first truly muggy conditions of the season — heat and humidity combine to create our first days of summer that truly feel hot and swampy. A cold front clears Friday night, but it won’t usher in any quick or dramatic relief — Saturday is just a touch cooler just below 90 degrees before temperatures gradually ease through the weekend with a few more rounds of showers.

An active and increasingly hot and humid stretch is ahead. Rain arrives Wednesday with numerous afternoon downpours and continues into the overnight hours with thunderstorms. The heat and humidity build rapidly through the end of the week — Friday reaches a scorching 92° alongside the muggiest conditions of the year, with heat index values in the low to mid-90s and record highs within reach at multiple sites. A cold front clears Friday night before a very warm but more pleasant weekend arrives — with Sunday shaping up as the best day of the stretch, sunny and comfortable. Temperatures gradually ease into next week as shower chances continue.