Overview
- The region is in a short heat wave with highs in the mid-90s through midweek and a realistic chance to match Philadelphia’s May record of 97°F.
- Regional air-quality officials issued an ozone alert, and people with asthma or other breathing problems were urged to limit time outdoors.
- Forecasters expect a midweek cold front that could trigger scattered, gusty thunderstorms and cut short any record-chasing warmth.
- Temperatures are projected to plunge about 25 to 30 degrees behind the front to the upper 60s, with a cooler, possibly showery stretch into the Memorial Day weekend.
- Meteorologists cite a classic setup with Atlantic high pressure drawing hot southern air north, and federal outlooks lean warmer than normal for the rest of May.