Probably Not A Record, Still A Warm One

Like four weeks ago Friday, when Philadelphia reached its yearly high of 69 degrees and several locations reached 70, this Friday will probably bring us our first 70 degree reading in the city and for many locations it looks like we'll see mid 70's.    March is typically the month when we first reach 70 in Philadelphia during the year so seeing a warm day like this is not rare by any stretch -- some years we get multiple 70 degree days -- but to get at least one in March is pretty much par for the course.

Despite the predicted high here of 74 being over twenty degrees above average for this time of the year, it will come short of the record high of the date (78, 1989).  Record highs for much of the region are either 77 or 78 on Friday, with Mount Pocono the rogue mark (64, 1927).  Mount Pocono could come close to or perhaps break their record as 60's are likely up there.

70's do look like a good bet south of the Poconos -- just how warm we get depends on how much sunshine we're able to coax on Friday.  Cloud cover could increase as a wave of energy works east along a southeast slipping cold front.   This cloud increase is likely for the later afternoon hours, with the potential for some showers at night in parts of the region.  It shouldn't dampen our or Mother Nature's enthusiasm for our first 70 of the year, however, as southwest winds at the surface look to be able to transport a good chunk of warmth into our region.