Tuesday, March 31, Philadelphia rolled out of bed to mostly cloudy skies and a springy 63°F at Philadelphia International, with a southwest breeze already starting to spin up ahead of a very warm afternoon. Sunshine is expected to break through and send temperatures into the low 80s across much of the city and nearby suburbs, a taste of early summer before a cold front slides in late Wednesday night, as per the National Weather Service Mount Holly.
Afternoon Heat And Gusty Winds
On Tuesday, mostly sunny skies should help drive highs to around 82°F, with southwest winds generally 10 to 15 mph and gusts that could top out near 30 mph, especially farther inland and away from the shore. Coastal spots will hang a few degrees cooler. These forecast details come from the National Weather Service Mount Holly.
Wednesday Night Showers And Thunderstorms
The warm spell carries into Wednesday, April 1, with afternoon highs near 84°F ahead of an approaching cold front late in the day. Scattered showers and thunderstorms may pop up Wednesday afternoon and become more widespread into Wednesday night. Overnight rainfall totals could reach a few tenths of an inch, with some neighborhoods picking up 0.25 to 0.5 inch. Forecasters keep the severe threat limited, so the primary concerns are brief heavy downpours and gusty winds.
Small Craft Advisory For Boaters
A Small Craft Advisory remains posted for Atlantic coastal waters through 6 p.m. Wednesday, with choppy seas and gusty southerly to southwest winds expected. Anyone planning time on the Delaware Bay or ocean waters should consider holding off on nonessential trips and make sure loose gear is secured on shore.
How This Affects Your Plans
It is a good couple of afternoons to soak up the warmth on Tuesday and Wednesday, but keep a backup plan for anything outdoors Wednesday night when showers and storms grow more likely. Drivers should be ready for sudden downpours that can quickly cut visibility, and it is worth securing lawn furniture and other lightweight items before stronger winds move in.
For background on the recent foggy mornings and early-season warmth that set the stage for this stretch, see our earlier coverage on steamy March heat. That piece explains how lingering fog and a persistent southerly flow primed the region for these unusually warm late March days.
