Halloween Weather: Trick-or-treaters could experience record temperatures in Central New York

Syracuse, NY – Kids won't have to wear bulky jackets over their costumes to go trick-or-treating in Central New York this year.

Thursday's high temperature is expected to be 78 degrees, easily surpassing the Halloween record of 75 degrees. This record was set in 2003.

By 6 p.m., when children hit the streets, temperatures will still be in the low 70s, the National Weather Service said.

“With so much warming expected during the day, conditions for candy gathering will still be mild in the evening hours,” the weather service said. “Conditions will be windy and patchy showers may develop ahead of an approaching cold front.”

Wind gusts could reach speeds of 20 miles per hour during trick-or-treating, but persistent rain is expected to continue until after midnight, the weather service said.

After a seasonal high of about 55 degrees today, Syracuse will experience rapid warming through Thursday. Expect a high of 63 on Tuesday and then 77 on Wednesday. That will come close to the Oct. 30 record of 79 set in 1946.

Thursday's high could be nearly 25 degrees above normal of 54.

Even a 73-degree day on Halloween is a rarity: In the 122 years of official records, it has only occurred six times.

The cold front sweeping through on Halloween night will push high temperatures back to the mid-50s typical of the first few days of November.