The heat: A record falls
Temperature never got below 80 overnight; one of hottest nights ever..
At lunchtime the official Philadelphia temperature already was pushing 90, and while the afternoon will be oppressively steamy with a high around 95, that will be well short of the record for the date, 99, set in 1930.
But one record, not as celebrated but arguably more significant, almost certainly is toast.
By daybreak the temperature bottomed out at 81 at Philadelphia International Airport, and in all likelihood that will be the low for July 19, 2015.
That current record for a July 19 is 78, set in 1991. The record for any date is 83, set both on July 23, 2011, and July 24, 2010.
The triple-digit heat indices and the dangers of the midday sun on a day like this rightfully draw attention.
However, health experts have long warned of the dangers of overnight warming.
When temperatures fail to get below 80, that's extreme, and all those rowhouses without air conditioning are quick to heat up after sunrise.
Most heat-related fatalities have occurred in rowhouses in which many elderly live alone.
Another steamy overnight is in the forecast with city temperatures no lower than the mid-70s tomorrow morning, but conditions should begin improving Tuesday night.