Fall is coming but will cooler temperatures arrive with it?

As we enter the month of August many are tired of the heat and dog days of summer wanting a crisp coolness to the air with all of the things the fall season brings. 

Meteorological fall starts on Sunday, Sept. 1, but for many, it will take much longer before cool, crisp autumn weather arrives.

As autumn leaves begin to transform the landscape into hues of red and gold, the weather patterns across the United States will also start to shift. However, for many eagerly awaiting the arrival of sweater weather and cool, cozy evenings, it may feel like summer is overstaying its welcome.

Meteorological autumn begins on Sunday, Sept. 1, followed by the arrival of astronomical fall at 8:43 a.m. PDT on Sunday, Sept. 22. Regardless of which date you consider the start of the new season, AccuWeather's team of long-range forecasters has one word for the upcoming season: Warm.

A warm autumn is expected for nearly all of the country this year as the transition from summery to fall-like weather takes place slower and much later than usual.

A "flash drought" developed in part of the East over the summer amid long stretches of hot and dry conditions, particularly from southern Pennsylvania through the Carolinas. Drought can linger in parts of this region through the start of fall before tropical rainfall and late-season thunderstorms bring more dramatic improvement.

Fall features a second severe weather season as waves of cold air begin to dive southward, clashing with the warm and humid air entrenched across most of the central and eastern portions of the nation.

This year has already been extremely active in terms of severe weather, including over 1,400 tornado reports, higher than the historical average for the entire year. An uptick in tropical storms and hurricanes can boost the tornado count even higher.

A busy weather pattern is also in the offing for the mid-Atlantic in September and October which will spark episodes of severe weather. The primary dangers are expected to be damaging wind gusts and hail, but a few tornadoes are also likely.

As the calendar flips to November, the severe thunderstorm risk will shift southward, focusing on the Gulf Coast states. Storms in that area will be a double-edged sword, threatening lives and property while also delivering rain to areas experiencing drought.

Whatever mother nature has in store for us Rowan County Weather will be here to cover it. Here is to hope that summer heat gives way to cool crisp autumn air and a colorful foliage season.