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Steamy, Stormy, Soggy?

By Geoff Bansen

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The heat is certainly on for the first day of July. We expect highs to reach the 90 degree mark, but it will feel even warmer when you factor in dew point and humidity levels. Skies will be partly sunny, with the chance of a very isolated late day storm. Tuesday night is most definitely one for the air conditioner, with lows in the city only dropping to 73.

Wednesday will be even hotter as temperatures top out in the mid 90s, with the heat index making it feel closer to 100! Definitely limit your amount of time outdoors, and if you are going to be in the sweltering summer heat, make sure to dress lightly and drink plenty of fluids. If you can make it to a pool or beach, remember to apply that sunscreen! Also, keep an eye to the sky Wednesday afternoon, as any early day sunshine will give way to clouds and thunderstorms will build. Some of these storms could be severe in nature.

Thursday will be mainly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms with the continued approach of our next slow moving cold front, which should be beginning to interact with what is currently Tropical Depression One at that time.

Here's the latest on our tropical situation:
We expect TD One to intensify over the next 24-48 hours, becoming a tropical storm (Arthur) and then possibly a Category 1 hurricane. As it currently stands, the Delaware Valley can expect clouds and showers for the 4th of July, especially the Delaware and Jersey coasts. However, there seems to be some upside to the forecast as the track of this system trends slightly eastward with the slightly increased timing of our next slow moving cold front. The best case scenario would be coastal showers and dry inland conditions, with clouds and even some breaks of sun. Your Eyewitness Weather Team will be tracking this storm all week, so be sure to keep it here all week long for the most up to date forecast (our new weather app is pretty awesome too!).

Looking ahead to the weekend, it looks great once again! Sunshine and lower heat and humidity to boot.

Today In Weather History:
1792 -- A tremendous storm (likely a hurricane) hit Philadelphia and New York City. In that time, advanced warning for storms was practically non-existent. About 40 young people drowned while out boating at the time.
1877 -- Two were killed and 25 others injured when a rare F4 tornado touched down during the afternoon in Chester Co, PA, after previously hitting Lancaster Co.
1981 -- Tropical storm Bret formed well off the NC coast, but moved toward the W then NW across the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and into VA. Philadelphia received 0.49" of rain.

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