Coolest stretch since spring

Welcome to the coolest stretch of the summer - less than two weeks after its hottest stretch.

For the first time since June 17, temperatures dipped into the 50s overnight, and might do so for another couple of nights as well.

It's quite a change from recent hot and stormy weather. The heat wave that ended Aug. 21 brought six straight highs of 90 degrees or more.

Through Labor Day, not one thunderstorm is mentioned in the forecast.

Today's low of about 57 didn't threaten the record (49 set in 1963). And neither will the lows in the upper 50s predicted for tonight and tomorrow night.

Today's forecast high of 76 should actually be higher than yesterday's 74 - the coolest high mark since the 72 of July 21.

Highs should stay around 80 through Labor Day, except for Saturday possibly warming into the mid 80s.

For more on the forecast, go to http://go.philly.com/weather.