Get ready for one hot summer.

In 2014, the area had 11 90-plus degree days, but can expect around 20 such days this year, according to Accuweather meteorologist Mark Paquette."Sometime in May or very early June, we're going to see a pretty dramatic switch to summer," he said. "Accompanying that will be some thunderstorm activity and a drier, warmer period in June, July and August."In an average summer, the area sees between 15-20 90-plus-degree days.When the jet stream splits into two, which is typical in an El Niño year, the northeast generally is caught in between."The southern branch of the jet stream will be strong across the south and Gulf Coast region, while the north stream will be up in Canada, which is normal," Paquette said. "That robs some moisture in the northeast. Typically, if you're drier in the summer, you're warmer as well."Lingering moisture from the winter and an average spring should keep the area out of drought conditions, however. More storms in May will add to the rainfall total."It should take until late summer when we really start to dry out," Paquette said.Last year, there were more extremely hot days in early September than all of August and that trend is expected to continue."I wouldn't be surprised to see a handful of days over 90 in early September," Paquette said. "Typically, as September moves on though you start to see your best weather in the middle to late part of the month."While it may be a summer of heavy air conditioner use, there is good news for vacationers along the East Coast."We're expecting a below-average hurricane season," Paquette said.Throughout the countryFrom the Southeast to the Gulf Coast and Tennessee Valley, the summer of 2015 will bring very wet conditions as a result of warm water temperatures in the northern Gulf and a building El Niño. Flash flooding could be a concern at times.Extreme heat should be kept at bay, but high humidity and muggy conditions will plague the region.As for tropical activity, the northern Gulf states could be affected as early as June.Rainy weather will also spread across parts of Texas for much of the summer, focusing on the lower Rio Grande Valley and southwestern portion of the state.Into the start of June, showers and storms will improve the drought conditions across northern and northwestern Texas, but the region could dry out again as rain falls mainly west of these areas during midsummer.Warmth and dryness will build in the West, worsening the historical drought conditions that have plagued California for four straight years.Meanwhile, the Gulf Coast will have an abundance of moisture, raising concerns for flooding at times.In the nation's midsection, severe weather is forecast to continue into summer, with the overall tornado count increasing from last year.In the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, above-normal temperatures will mark a noticeable difference from the cooler-than-average summer of 2014.