Hello, August! Clouds And Rain Usher In New Month
By Geoff Bansen
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- As we say goodbye to July and welcome in August, we will also unfortunately be welcoming in clouds and some rain. An offshore frontal boundary is pushing back toward the coast and will be bringing a rain threat this weekend.
An early morning sun on Friday will quickly give way to clouds. By the afternoon, there will be some scattered showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will still be a few degrees below average in the mid 80s.
Moving into Friday night and early Saturday morning, the Delaware Valley will see the greatest threat for some heavier rain, especially areas southeast of Philadelphia. This should end by later Saturday morning, leaving cloudy skies and a few widely scattered showers. Saturday might end up fairly decent towards the latter part of the day and into the evening. Temperatures will struggle to reach 80 under overcast skies, but should make it there if we get some sunny breaks in the late afternoon. Skies will stay cloudy on Sunday and there will be another round of showers that may clip the area.
Heading into next week, our pattern will turn drier and warmer as we will be back into the mid to upper 80s. The sun will return on Monday, and by Tuesday we should finally hit a high temperature of at least average.
Today's Highs:
Philly - 83
Shore - 80
Poconos - 76
In the Tropics, Tropical Storm Bertha has formed despite moving through some drier air. It is expected to remain at Tropical Storm strength as it moves across the eastern Caribbean. If you are planning to head down there for a vacation, perhaps a cruise, be sure to keep a watchful eye on this system. Bertha shouldn't pose a problem for the US (other than some elevated surf) as it is expected to curve out to sea after moving through the islands.
As for July 2014, it proved to be a fairly average month in Philadelphia. Despite the recent cool down, temperatures were still just slightly above average and precipitation slightly below. The high temperature was 96 degrees, way back on July 2nd. The daily average in August drops from 87 to 83 by the end of August. Whereas July marks the annual air temperature peak, August marks the peak for ocean water temperature.
Have a great weekend!
