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Heat sets record for third day; third heat-related death reported

A cold front is bringing with it a chance of showers and thunderstorms for the Eagles game tonight.

Students from Dunbar Elementary School walk out the front door of the school, on the way to their waiting bus, as the school day ends on Tuesday Septmenber 4, 2018. Philadelphia Federation of Teachers held a news conference at Dunbar Elementary to complain about the dangerous temperatures teachers and students are being forced to work and learn in since most of the district's schools do not have cooling systems.
Students from Dunbar Elementary School walk out the front door of the school, on the way to their waiting bus, as the school day ends on Tuesday Septmenber 4, 2018. Philadelphia Federation of Teachers held a news conference at Dunbar Elementary to complain about the dangerous temperatures teachers and students are being forced to work and learn in since most of the district's schools do not have cooling systems.Read moreMICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer

For the third consecutive day Philadelphia reached a temperature record when the official reading hit 95, matching the high for Sept. 6, 1988.

Wednesday's 95 was a a new high for the date, and Tuesday's peak reading at Philadelphia International Airport, 93, tied a record.

Meanwhile, the city confirmed that a heat-related death had occurred last Wednesday, only the third of a summer that has been among the warmer ones on record.

"Drug intoxication" also was a factor in the death, said Health Department spokesman James Garrow.

As in the past two days, Philadelphia public schools closed at noon.

But a cold front is moving in, bringing with it showers and thunderstorms. For those going to Lincoln Financial Field for the Eagles' season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, you should know there is a nearly 70 percent chance of precipitation at game time.

While the cold front will bring lower temperatures, it will still be muggy Friday, when the high is forecast to be 79 with dew points in the uncomfortable 70s.

>> READ MORE: Philadelphia is getting hotter, wetter, and snowier at the same time

The weather service forecast discussion says the weekend is looking "unsettled," with chances of showers and thunderstorms throughout, as well as for the start of the work week.

The highs Saturday and Sunday should be in the lower 70s.