WEATHER BLOG: Sunshine Returns, Humidity Does Not
By Geoff Bansen
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - When was the last time you heard someone say "thank goodness for that front?" Probably not in recent memory. However, if you dislike tropical systems and hot, humid weather, you should be doing just that this morning.
Thanks to a weak, moisture-starved frontal boundary that moved through last night, temperatures will be extremely comfortable to wrap up the work week. It also helped to nudge Hurricane Cristobal out to sea.
Sunshine will dominate Thursday and Friday, with high temperatures in the lower 80s. Humidity will be low, so it is going to feel especially pleasant the next few days.
Saturday will again be dry but will feature a few more afternoon clouds. The heat and humidity will also begin to creep back in. Sunday and Labor Day Monday look to be hot and humid, with a chance of a shower or thunderstorm each day. Despite the rain threat, it doesn't look like they will be washouts.
Just a reminder to use caution down along the shore beaches today, as rip current risks continue to run high with Cristobal churning offshore.
Today's Highs:
Philly - 84, lower humidity
Shore - 82, a little breezy
Poconos - 72, much cooler
On this day in weather history:
1962 - Hurricane Alma moved from Cape Hatteras to Cape Cod. Philadelphia received 0.61" of rain on the 27th and an additional 1.56" on the 28th.
1971 - Heavy rains from tropical storm Doria caused devastating floods in central and NE NJ, resulting in 138 million dollars damage. In SE PA, high winds downed trees and power lines, and in NYC, heavy rains flooded streets and subways. Record flood stages were set on the Whippany River at Morristown, with a stage of 8.6' (flood stage 6.0'); on the Cooper River at Haddonfield, with a stage of 5.5' (flood stage 2.8'); and tied the record on the Rancocas Creek at Pemberton, with a stage of 4.2' (flood stage 2.7'). The main stem of the Raritan River rose to 23.8' (flood stage 14.0) at Manville, and to 37.5' (flood stage 28.0') at Bound Brook. At Blackwells Mills, the Millstone River crested at 18.7' (flood stage 9.0).
1992 - An F2 tornado moved Atglen in Chester County. 1 mobile home was blown apart, and several homes were damaged.
2011 - Hurricane Irene made landfall near Little Egg Harbor. Five people were killed in Pennsylvania. Three died as a result of fallen trees, one was killed in a traffic accident, and a woman was swept away by flooding in the Wissahickon Creek. In Philadelphia, the storm left thousands without power. More than 400 trees fell in Philadelphia, seven buildings collapsed and twenty roads were closed. While the storm made landfall in the southeastern part of the state, South Jersey received little damage and flooding. Further north, severe river flooding occurred due to record rainfall, including a statewide rainfall max of 11.27" in Freehold. Eleven rivers reached record levels, and even a week after the storm, all rivers in the state remained at "moderate flooding level". Flooding also affected the train lines in the Trenton area. Some parts of the state saw flooding continue for another three days. In addition to major flooding, the combination of already heavily saturated ground from a wet summer and heavy wind gusts made New Jersey especially vulnerable to wind damage. Fallen trees blocked vital roads, and numerous homes suffered structural damages from the wind. The storm killed seven people in the state, and damage was estimated at around $1 billion.
