9/11 Anniversary Forecast: How This Year's Weather Compares to 2001

The nation will mark a somber anniversary on Friday. Will the weather cooperate with all of the ceremonies scheduled in New York City, Washington, D.C., and rural Pennsylvania? Here is what you need to know.

What to Expect on Friday for the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremonies

Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. As has been tradition with this day over the last 25 years, people will gather to remember the lives lost on this tragic day in American history. Unlike September 11, 2001, a day that saw beautiful weather, rain showers and thunderstorms could roam the East Coast on Friday.

Tuesday, September 11, 2001, was a lovely early fall day for the eastern U.S. Cooler air, low humidity levels, and sunny skies were the story for New York City, Washington, D.C., and beyond. While the day started in the 50s and low 60s, the mercury climbed into the 60s and low 70s as the attacks unfolded.

Although Hurricane Erin was spinning offshore at the time, the impacts did not reach the coastline at all. Instead, brilliant blue sunshine was the image that most residents of the East Coast associate with that terrible moment.

The pleasant weather will not be the case on Friday when the nation gathers to honor the victims of the attacks and the first responders who rushed to the scene to help. Heavy rain and thunderstorms that popped up late Thursday across the upper mid-Atlantic may be slow to depart the region on Friday.

In addition to the primary remembrance ceremony scheduled at the former Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan, there will also be special events at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, as well as in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, for the Flight 93 remembrance ceremony.

While conditions are forecast to clear up as the day progresses on Friday, some of the walkways, stages, and chairs set up for the morning ceremonies may still be wet. Spotty rain showers may persist in the nation's capital on Friday; however, dry conditions are in the forecast for the ceremonies in New York City and Shanksville.

Higher Humidity Levels This 9/11 Compared to 25 Years Ago

Temperatures on Friday are expected to hover at about the same readings that were recorded in 2001. However, higher humidity levels will make it feel slightly warmer this year. RealFeel readings are forecast to reach the low 80s in Shanksville on Friday. These readings, which account for actual air temperature, cloud cover, wind speeds, and humidity, will reach the mid 80s in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Forecasters are predicting higher humidity levels to start the day along the Interstate 95 corridor on Friday. The mugginess will begin to ease as the day progresses. The forecast is also calling for drier air and peeks of sunshine to first arrive across the site in Shanksville before reaching the Big Apple and the nation's capital.

The bottom line is that while the day might start on a gloomy note, the sun is expected to come out in the latter part of the day.

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