The previous record of 88 degrees had stood for 40 years.
View full sizeJill Condulis (left), Samantha Sonner (center) and Sarah Gleason, all freshmen at Syracuse University, enjoy the warm temperatures as they sit the college's main quad. Syracuse, NY -- National Weather Service instruments at Syracuse Hancock International Airport recorded a temperature of 90 degrees this afternoon, smashing a record that had stood for 40 years.
On Sept. 24, 1970, when President Nixon was in his first term, temperatures reached 88 degrees at the airport, weather records show.
The National Weather Service reported the 90 degree temperature was recorded during the regular hourly reading shortly before 4 p.m.
Normal high temperatures for this time of year are in the low 70s and high 60s. However, 17 of 30 high temperature records for the month are 90 degrees or higher, according to weather service records.
The hottest September days came on Sept. 3 and 4 in 1953 when temperatures hit 97 degrees The latest came Sept. 29, 1959, when it hit 90 degrees.
Forecasters say temperatures are expected to drop into the low 60s tonight and some showers may develop.
Contact Charles McChesney at cmcchesney@syracuse.com.