Lehigh Valley swelters, and Sunday won’t be much cooler
It’s been a scorcher in the Lehigh Valley so far this weekend.
Saturday was expected to set a record for May 21, was likely the hottest day of the year by far in the region, with temperatures well over 90 degrees.
While it’s unusual for temperatures to reach the 90s in May, it’s not the only time it’s happened. The record temperature for May 21 was set in 1934, when the thermometer reached 92 degrees.
The average temperature for the day is 74.
Lehigh, Northampton and Berks Counties were also under a “Code Orange” air quality alert, which means the amount of ozone particles in the air could be unhealthy for sensitive groups like children, people with asthma, heart or lung diseases and the elderly.
Sunday’s temperatures won’t be much lower with an expected high of 88 degrees. Showers and thunderstorms are likely after 5 p.m., which will finally bring cooler temperatures to the region. The low Sunday night will be 58 degrees, and Monday is expected to be much milder , reaching a high of 72 degrees.
The forecast, according to the National Weather Service:
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 5 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Increasing clouds, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72. North wind around 10 mph.
Monday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.
Wednesday night :A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Thursday night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 60%.