Mid-Week Warm-Up Could Bring Record Warmth To Philly Region

A brief interlude of warm weather this week will have Eastern Pennsylvania feeling more like May than February. We aren't promising it will last, but it will provide a short break from the cold and wet weather of recent weeks.

The February warm-up will begin Tuesday, with a high in the upper 60s. Wednesday is when you'll feel like breaking out the shorts and flip flops: A high of 73 is predicted for the Philadelphia region. Plan your outdoor activities for this day.

If forecasters are correct, Wednesday's warmth could be record-breaking. The record high temperature for Feb. 21 in Philadelphia is 72 degrees and was set in 1930, according to the state climatologist.

Some precipitation will linger despite the warmth. Patchy drizzle is in the forecast for Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Otherwise, expect a sunny day Wednesday.

Unfortunately, the rain returns Thursday and will persist off and on through at least the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Here is the forecast:

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph.

Tonight: Patchy drizzle after 10pm. Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind 5 to 7 mph.

Wednesday: Patchy drizzle before 9am, then a slight chance of showers after 1pm. Areas of fog before 11am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 72. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of rain, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southwest wind around 7 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: Rain likely, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 48. Northeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: Showers likely before 1pm, then rain likely after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday Night: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 57. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

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