Cold conditions continue Tuesday in Philadelphia region; tracking rain, snow for Thursday
Our December cold snap continues today with highs only in the low 40s and wind chills that'll make it feel like 35-37 degrees. The normal high for this time of year is around 50. Tomorrow will be similar - some sunshine with highs in the low 40s - but clouds will be are on the increase ahead of our next weather maker, set to arrive by Thursday morning.
Your NEXT Weather team has issued a Weather Alert for Thursday as another push of even colder air arrives from Canada. This reinforcing cold front will bring the chance for spotty rain and snow showers Thursday morning, followed by a sharp drop in the mercury Thursday afternoon.
A line of wind-driven rain and snow showers will likely cross the Philadelphia area between 5-9 a.m. on Thursday, leading to possible slowdowns for the morning commute. While the front should blast through quickly enough to prevent much (if any) accumulation, there may be a quick coating far north and visibilities could take a hit in any falling snow or rain.
As the front moves off the coast, wicked winds will develop from the west, and this will likely be the most impactful facet of this system.
Winds may gust over 40 mph during the day Thursday, and temperatures will plummet behind the front. We will likely start Thursday with temperatures around 40, and then they will drop into the 20s by late afternoon with wind chill values in the teens by as early as 1 p.m. Thursday.
The sharply colder air will stay with us as winds continue to whip on Friday, when our high of 37 will likely not feel any better than 25 degrees. In fact, from midday Thursday through at least the first part of Saturday, wind chills will not get much above 25 degrees. It does turn a bit more seasonable, back to the upper 40s, for the Eagles game on Sunday with a return to 50s possible next week.
Stay with us here, the NEXT Weather Team will keep you updated on any changes ahead.
Here's your 7-day forecast:
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high of 42.
Wednesday: Clouds thicken, high of 43, low of 26.
Thursday: NEXT Weather Alert Day, high of 41, low of 38.
Friday: Blustery and cold, high of 37, low of 29.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, high of 39, low of 25.
Sunday: Milder and nice, high of 48, low of 28.
Monday: Mostly cloudy, cold, high of 55, low of 34.