Rain, Possible Record Heat In Philly Area Over Labor Day Weekend

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Several chances for rain and thunderstorms are in the Labor Day weekend forecast for the greater Philadelphia area, potentially hampering weekend plans for local residents. Record high temperatures for early September are possible in the midst of the storms as a warm front passed through.

The potentially rainy weekend comes just days after 36 counties, including nearly all of eastern Pennsylvania, were placed under a drought watch.

The all time heat record for Sept. 4, which is Sunday, could be challenged, AccuWeather reports.

"Some daily records could be challenged in places such as Philadelphia, where Sunday's forecast high of 91 degrees will approach the record of 93 degrees set in 2018," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Andrew Kienzle.

The National Weather Service is not quite as bullish on the possibility, forecasting a high of 89.

"(The weather) looks to turn unsettled late Sunday and early next week," the National Weather Service's Mt. Holly, New Jersey station shared on social media. "It will become more humid over the weekend."

RELATED: Drought Watch Issued In 36 PA Counties, Water Conservation Urged

While Saturday looks to be cloudy but dry, storms could move in as early as Sunday afternoon, with a 20 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms after 2 p.m., forecasters say. Storms are more likely in the evening, and could continue on and off into Monday afternoon and evening.

It remains unclear if the storm will help break the region free of the lingering — and in some places, historic — ariditiy. Accuweather notes that the lack of rain is, in fact, likely to continue after the weekend. "Most of the region is not expected to deal with any wet conditions," they say.

Here's the full forecast for the coming days:

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 85. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Friday night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind around 5 mph.

Saturday

Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Saturday night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Sunday

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Labor Day

A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday night

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday
A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.