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Weather Blog: September Sizzle

By Steve Strouss

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The mercury in Philadelphia soared to blistering 94 degrees this afternoon. Not only was this the highest temperature since July 20th, but it was also the first time in over a month that the temperature climbed to 90 degrees or higher. August 2013 will go down in the record books as being the only August since 1984 without a 90 degree day. To date, 20 days in 2013 have recorded a temperature at 90 or above.

The average for this date is 80 degrees and the record was 98 set in 1983. Although no records were broken in the area, the combination of heat and humidity made it feel more like the triple digits at times this afternoon.

The temperatures weren't the only things heating up, the tropics are now active too. During the last 24 hours, Tropical Storm Gabrielle brought soaking rains and gusty winds to the island of Bermuda. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Humberto was upgraded early this morning to become the first Hurricane of the 2013 Atlantic season. This ties Gustav (2002) as being the first hurricane since 1960 to form so late in the season.

Back in our region, change is on the way as the September Sizzle comes to a stormy end. A cold front will bring showers and thunderstorms to the region tomorrow and some of the storms could be severe. Much cooler weather is expected behind the front and sunshine and fall like conditions will be in place for the weekend.

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