Fall-like conditions come early to Philadelphia
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
That fall feeling arrived early this year in Philadelphia.
Why it matters: We're one cool evening closer to Halloween decorations and full-on sweater weather.
The big picture: Philadelphia wrapped up summer with its coolest August since 2014, National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Alex Staarmann tells Axios.
- Last month's below-normal temps, combined with fewer 90°+ days and low rainfall totals, are making the calendar feel weeks ahead of schedule.
- "We pretty much jumped straight ahead into September on the 1st of August," Staarmann says.
By the numbers: Philly's August mean temp was 74.8°, about 2° below normal from 1991-2020.
- The city also logged only six days when the mercury rose above 90° last month, two fewer than normal, per NWS.
- The region hasn't seen a 90° day since Aug. 17.
Zoom out: A cool August balanced out the dog days of summer we felt in June and July.
- Summer in Philly (June-August) was the 17th warmest on record dating back to the 1870s, with a mean temp of 77.4°, per NWS.
Reality check: Our below-normal temps aren't an indicator of future weather events, like a cooler fall or snowier winter, Staarmann noted.
Meanwhile, your outdoor plants might need more watering.
- That's because Philly's August rainfall was roughly 60% less than normal.
- Yes, but: The region isn't in drought territory, per the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The intrigue: The recent dry and sunny conditions have the potential to make for a stunning and vibrant leaf-peeping season this fall, Tom Reber, the director of landscapes and facilities at Bartram's Garden, tells Axios.
- And Vince Marrocco, director of horticulture at Morris Arboretum & Gardens, tells Axios he's watching whether the region gets enough rainfall to ensure leaves don't drop too early, shortening the fall foliage season.
What's next: Fall-like conditions and below-normal temps are forecast to stick around for at least the next two weeks, Staarmann says.
- While high temps will top out in the upper 80s Friday and Saturday, they'll drop back to the 70s Sunday through Wednesday, per the NWS.
- But the potential for a return of some summerlike days isn't out of the question.