Fall in the Lehigh Valley kicked off Tuesday with a stretch of cooler days.
But don’t break out the fall sweaters just yet: Forecasters believe temperatures could be above-normal for the season.
Tuesday’s highs in the 60s, expected through the next several days, marked the first stretch of 60-degree days in the Lehigh Valley in some time, according to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey. The last time highs were in the 60s was in May.
Normal high temperatures for September have averaged in the upper 70s, according to weather service data.
“Confidence is high that temperatures will be below normal starting [Tuesday],” meteorologists wrote Tuesday in their daily forecast discussion. “In fact, temperatures will likely struggle to get out of the 60s areawide through most of this week.”
Lows are expected in the mid-40s and 50s through the week, forecasters said.
However, “significant uncertainty” remains for the weekend, forecasters said Tuesday. One model shows rain from a possible nor’easter missing the region, while another shows some impact, the weather service said.
“We will continue to monitor trends closely as we try to nail down specific impacts and timing over the coming days,” meteorologists said.
While it will be feeling like fall this week, experts believe temperatures could be above normal for the season.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in its three-month seasonal temperature map, showed all of Pennsylvania as likely having above-normal temperatures from October through December, driven mainly by a very strong El Nino weather pattern.
Average temperatures have been in the 60s in October, falling to the 40s in December, according to weather service data.
Precipitation is leaning above normal during that timeframe as well.
As for the rest of the first week of fall, after a possibility of rain Tuesday, the rest of the week is clear until the weekend.
A pedestrian walks under colorful foliage along Walnut Street in Bethlehem in this file photo. Tuesday was the first day of fall, and ushered in seasonal weather, with high temperatures in the 60s. (Fran Kittek/ The Morning Call)
Here is the extended forecast from the National Weather Service:
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 15 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Saturday: A chance of showers after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
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