Spring-Like Weather Heading To Eastern PA This Week: See Forecast

EASTERN PA — A potentially record-setting heat wave will bring springlike temperatures to the greater Philadelphia area this week before heavy rain hits later in the week, according to forecasters.

Up to half an inch of rain could fall on Thursday and Friday, the National Weather Service said. A quarter of an inch is expected after 1 p.m. Thursday, and another quarter of an inch is expected overnight into Friday, mainly after 1 a.m., the forecast states.

Rain is predicted to stop by Friday morning, by 1 p.m. at the latest. Wind gusts will follow once the rain clears out, with blustery but high 50s weather on tap for much of the day.

The chance of precipitation ranges from about 80 to 90 percent.

Thunderstorms could be possible Friday, according to the National Weather Service's Mount Holly office. However, precipitation will primarily take place in the morning.

The timing of the storm will likely mean both the Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes could be impacted.

But before the rain hits, a warm weather front on Valentines Day and Wednesday could challenge some long-standing heat records in the state.

"It will be warm enough that many people will be able to ditch extra layers and winter gear altogether, as the weather will feel much more like late April rather than mid-February in the East, especially Wednesday and Thursday of this week," AccuWeather said. "Many of the anticipated temperatures Wednesday will approach the daily records for Feb. 15 that have stood since the 1970s, and in some cases since the 1950 and 1940s."

In Pittsburgh, the record high fo 69 on Wednesday, set in 1954, looks prime to fall. The forecasted high is 70.

Philadelphia doesn't appear to get quite hot enough to break its own 1949 record of 74 degrees, but things will be plenty balmy for mid-February with a high of 63, forecasters said.

Here's the full forecast for the week:

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 56. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday night

Increasing clouds, with a low around 38. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the evening.

Wednesday

Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph.

Wednesday night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Thursday

Showers, mainly after 1pm. High near 63. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday night

Showers, mainly after 1am. Low around 55. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday

Showers likely before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Friday night

Mostly clear, with a low around 25. Blustery.