Coldest morning of the season in Philadelphia, frost warning for much of the region

After dry weather again this weekend, we're starting the new week the same way, but with an added bonus: the coldest night of the season so far. In fact, Monday morning will be the coldest morning we've seen in the Delaware Valley since last April.

Expect lows in the 20s in the suburbs to mid 30s in the city of Philadelphia.

These frigid temperatures have triggered a freeze warning between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. Monday for all but Philadelphia and Delaware counties and the immediate Jersey Shore. This is the first frost of the season. So if you have delicate outdoor plants and want to keep them alive, cover them before bed tonight.

A freeze warning is in effect for Philadelphia and Delaware counties and the immediate Jersey Shore during this time.

The big question next week is about the Halloween forecast. This may be the first year I can remember that jackets aren't necessary over little ones' costumes. It will feel more like summer than the last day of October. Temperatures will rebound to the mid 60s on Monday and highs on Thursday (Halloween) will be in the low 80s, aiming for a record high of 82 set in 1946. The NEXT Weather Team forecast is 8°C for Thursday.

After 29 days without rain, we have ended Philly's 150-year-old drought streak of 29 days dating back to the fall of 1874. On Monday we will set a new record of 30 consecutive days without rain. This new record will then be broken every day next week with no rain in sight until another cold front passes through the area, possibly on Friday. This has a 20 percent chance of producing at least 0.01 inches of measurable rain. If that doesn't happen, we'll roll into next week without any rain.

Regardless of whether we end the drought streak on Friday, there simply won't be enough rain to end the drought. There is currently a moderate to severe drought across the region and it would take more than 20cm of rain in a month to end the drought. Be prepared for areas of extreme drought to occur in the coming week.

NEXT weather alert for Monday morning

Our NEXT Weather Team has issued a NEXT Weather Alert Day as much of the area is under a Freeze Warning and Frost Warning from 11pm until 9am Monday.

Here is your 7 day forecast:

Monday: Cold start. High 64, low 37.

Tuesday: A few clouds. High 69, low 42.

Wednesday: Sunny sky. High 76, low 52.

Thursday: Halloween heat! High 81, low 59.

Friday: Maybe a shower? High 74, low 66.

Saturday: Sunny sky. High 63, low 45.

Sunday: Clouds, some sun. High 68, low 43.

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