Sunny Stretch, Warming Up
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- High pressure is firmly in control across the northeast, and we expect to see lots of sunshine this week.
After a cooler pattern, there will also be a midweek warm up. Temperatures will increase a few degrees each day, and there is an outside chance the mercury could hit 90 on Wednesday, which would make it only the 2nd 90 degree day in August (8/5). In contrast, there have been six days where highs failed to break out of the 70s! So much for the August heat.
Looking ahead, there will be a weak cold front that will pass through the Delaware Valley on Wednesday night. Other than that, there is no precipitation to speak of!
In the tropics, Tropical Storm Cristobal is churning to the east of the Bahamas. It is expected to strengthen in the coming days but curve out to sea, rendering it no threat to the United States. It will stir up the surf and elevate the risk of rip currents. If you plan to head to the beach today, the risk of rip currents will be high as well.
Today's Highs:
Philly - 84
Shore - 78
Poconos - 77
On this date in weather history...
1635 - The Great Colonial Hurricane roared northward from the tropics, passed about 75
miles E of Atlantic City, then moved into New England. Maximum winds in the storm were
estimated to be over 130 mph. Officially, 35 deaths are attributed to this storm,
putting this hurricane on The Deadliest Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1492 to Present,
list.
1850 - The night of the 24th to 25th, Philadelphia received 2.91" of rain from this second storm of
what is known as the Triple Tropical Storms of 1850. The storm curved from eastern
NC to inside the DE Capes thence across NJ. The first was on July 19th and the third
was on September 8th.
1885 - A hurricane recurved along the FL/GA/Carolina coastline then moved NE out to sea.
Philadelphia received 1.58" of rain as the storm was traversing the coast of the Carolinas.
1940 - NJ experienced its coldest August morning of record, with lows of 32 degrees at Layton
and Charlotteburg.
1941 - One person died when an F2 tornado in Gloucester Co, NJ, blew down
a chimney and crushed his truck. Another man was electrocuted after the storm
passed. This tornado caused damage and numerous injuries.
1991 - The barometric pressure at Philadelphia rose to 30.46", tying the highest pressure ever
recorded in August.
