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Weather: Tracking Dangerous Heat, Storms, And Tropic Trouble

By Kate Bilo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- July is off to a busy start here in the weather department and there's lots to talk about - heat, humidity, a slowing front, gusty storms, heavy rain, rough surf, rip currents, and let's throw a HURRICANE into the mix for good measure! And this is all within the next three days!

So let's break things down day by day and see where we stand.

Wednesday - the hottest weather of the year so far with a high of 94 and heat index values near 100-105 in the afternoon. Storms in the afternoon will be scattered but locally strong as we are in a slight risk for severe weather. We hit 94 once before but tomorrow will FEEL hotter with highest heat index values this year.

Thursday - a slow-moving front will sit over the area all day, drawing in moisture-rich air from what will then be Hurricane Arthur. We can expect heavy thunderstorms all afternoon and into the overnight, some with locally heavy rainfall.

Friday - Arthur passes offshore through midday as a Category 1 hurricane. Down the shore, showers and storms will continue into the afternoon, and rough surf and rip currents will be a dangerous threat right into the weekend. In the city, a morning shower possible but then clearing for sunshine by afternoon - dry but breezy for Fourth of July fireworks.

Latest on Arthur: the NHC expects Arthur to be a Cat 1 hurricane by early Thursday, and remain a Cat 1 as it passes offshore. We won't feel any DIRECT impacts from Arthur in Philadelphia - the rain on Thursday will be mainly from the front but moisture from Arthur will enhance the rainfall potential and also slow the front. Biggest impacts directly from hurricane will be the rough surf and riptides at the shore.

The good news? Drier weather for most of us on July 4th, and a beautiful weekend to look forward to!

 

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