Sunday morning in Philadelphia is rolling in on the chilly side, with a cool breeze that feels more like early spring than May. Temperatures are sitting in the upper 40s under mostly cloudy skies, but forecasters say the sun should break through this afternoon and push the high to around 64°F. The trade-off: strengthening northwest winds through midday, with gusts up to about 30 mph that will make it feel cooler and could send unsecured lawn chairs scooting across the patio.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
By late morning into the early afternoon, northwest winds are expected to run about 10 to 15 mph, with gusts topping out around 25 to 30 mph, especially across more exposed parts of the city and along the river corridor. As the drier air mixes in, afternoon humidity is forecast to drop into the mid 20 to 30 percent range. That kind of combo can dry out surface fuels quickly, but forecasters note that recent rain and spring green-up are keeping conditions in check, so officials are not posting any fire-weather warnings for now. For full timing and advisory details, see the National Weather Service Mount Holly.
Marine And Boater Alert
Out on the water, it will be a rougher ride. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect from late morning into the early afternoon for Delaware Bay and the nearby coastal ocean waters around the mouth of the Bay. Northwest winds are expected near 15 to 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots and building seas, which means smaller vessels will feel every bit of it. Nonessential trips should be pushed back, loose gear should be tied down, and mariners are urged to keep an ear on marine VHF broadcasts and check local forecasts before casting off.
Midweek Rain And Thunder Risk
After today, temperatures swing the other way. Monday looks warmer, with highs in the mid 70s, followed by a stronger warm-up Tuesday into the low to mid 80s. By midweek, though, a cold front teaming up with a developing low pressure system brings back a multi-day rain threat from Wednesday into Thursday. Showers are likely Wednesday, with a higher chance for more widespread rain and some thunderstorms from Wednesday night into Thursday. Forecasters currently expect the rain to be mainly beneficial, with only a limited risk for severe storms. If you have outdoor plans later in the week, watch the forecast, since periods of steady rain could move through.
What To Watch
Early this morning, gardeners should still protect tender plants wherever a pocket of frost manages to hang on, and drivers in higher terrain should be ready for slick, shaded ramps before the sun dries things out. Before the afternoon gusts arrive, it is a good idea to lock down patio furniture and umbrellas, and high-profile vehicles should use extra caution on bridges and other exposed stretches of roadway. For background and continuing updates, see our earlier post Spring Chill.
