Potential Record Heat Coming To Southeastern PA

PENNSYLVANIA — Fall may be well underway, but the next few days around the greater Philadelphia area will feel more like summer, forecasters say.

The region will approach record high temperatures for this point in October on Friday and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. High temperatures are expected to be at least 15 degrees warmer than average for mid-October.

Afternoon temperatures in southeastern Pennsylvania are expected to climb into the mid- to upper 70s on Thursday and upper 70s to low 80s on Friday and Saturday.

Going into the end of this week, temperatures will be more like early June or early September, and a few high temperature records may be set, especially Friday.

As a high pressure system begins to shift into a position just off the east coast on Friday, it will usher in some unusually warm air for mid-October, according to Accuweather.

The National Weather Service is eyeing several records throughout the region. In Philadelphia, the record high for Friday of 87, set all the way back in 1975, might not be threatened — the forecast calls for a high of 83 — but it's still far above the average high of 68 on this day.

Temperatures are expected to drop down to normal early next week, the service said. A strong cold front is expected to move across the region on Saturday, bringing rain showers, possible thunderstorms and much cooler air to the region.

Afternoon highs on Sunday and Monday will range from the low to mid-60s — the service said. Overnight lows on Sunday and Monday may fall to the mid-40s. Though these lows are average for this time of year, it may feel cold to many people because of this week’s summer-like temperatures.

Here’s the latest forecast:

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. North wind around 10 mph.

Thursday night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday night

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

Saturday

A slight chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. High near 80. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers between 8pm and 11pm. Low around 51. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Breezy.

Sunday night

Mostly clear, with a low around 50.

With reporting from Patch correspondent Kim Bongard