Coolest Stretch In Months Hits Philly Area Ahead Of Labor Day

Cool weather has prevailed for a significant stretch in southeastern Pennsylvania for the first time in months, the National Weather Service said on Wednesday.

For the first time since mid-May, there has been a five day stretch with temperatures not rising above 80 degrees.

While temperatures did sneak over 80 in parts of the region, the high in the Delaware Valley was not over 81. That's a "fairly unusual" stretch for this time of year, according to the NWS. In fact, a run of five cool days in a row like that has happened only twice in August in the last 20 years, they said: Aug. 2000, and Aug. 2007.

The cool down comes in the wake of the latest heat wave earlier this month, which saw a brutal combination of high humidity and temperatures create dangerous heat indexes.

As for what lies ahead: slightly warmer temperatures should hit the area over the next few days, with things getting up to 87 on Friday. However, the Labor Day weekend forecast looks good, with clear skies and temperatures hovering in the 70s and low 80s for most of the weekend.

And, as forecasters note, the area's historical average high dips below 80 in around two weeks.

Down the Jersey Shore, Tropical Storm Erin could cause some issues, bringing heavy winds and potential rip currents. If you're planning a beach trip, check out our beach forecast.

Here's the forecast for the next several days:

Wednesday: Isolated showers between 2pm and 5pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. North wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then isolated showers between 11pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 63. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 9 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph.

Thursday night: Clear, with a low around 64. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.

Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81.

Sunday night: A chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.