Winter returning, briefly, after record warmth

Winterlike weather will be making a brief appearance in the Philadelphia region Monday, after record-high temperatures were set three of the last four days.

Forecasters are calling for a highs in the low 40s for Philadelphia Monday, with rain moving into the region during the evening and into Tuesday.

The northern parts of Philadelphia's suburbs could see some sleet mixed with the rain. And places further north, in Lehigh County, are under a winter weather advisory due to the threat of freezing rain, sleet and snow.

The shift to colder weather could be harsh for Philadelphians who enjoyed the record-high temperatures over the Christmas holiday.

Record highs were set or tied Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Sunday.

The mercury reached 71 degrees on Thursday, beating the old Christmas Eve record of 64. On Friday, the high topped out at 68, tying the record. And Sunday's high hit 65 degrees, breaking the previous record for the date of 64, which was set in 1949.

And despite Monday's chill, Tuesday and Wednesday could again looking springlike: Forecasters say to expect temperatures in the high 50s and rain, with some heavy showers possible on Tuesday.

Gary Szatkowski, chief meteorologist at the National Weather Center's regional office in Mount Holly said that through Sunday, Philadelphia is running 13.9 degrees above normal for the month and that there have been no below normal days with none expected.