Weather: Philadelphia To Get Bitter Blast!
By Geoff Bansen
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Break out the extra heavy coats, throw an extra log on the fire, just turn up the heat any way you can! You're going to need it. Frigid temperatures have arrived, and they're only going to get worse. Temperatures on Wednesday will be in the 20s, but once winds pick up this morning, it will feel a lot colder than that; we're talking wind chills in the 10s and single digits! A passing flurry is possible during the afternoon hours, but on the 'bright' side, some sunshine will return. Still, it won't help the bone-chilling temperatures outside.
And they will only get worse tonight. Already, much of the eastern half of the nation is under Wind Chill Advisories, even as far south as northern Florida and southern Texas!
Lows in the teens and single digits will feel more like negative values! Wind chills will generally run anywhere from 5 to 25 degrees below zero depending on where you live (lower values will be up in the Poconos and Lehigh Valley). These are potentially dangerous conditions. Skin exposure could lead to frostbite, so 'bundle up' will take on a new meaning tonight!
The wind will not be as much of a factor on Thursday, but that doesn't mean you can break out the shorts just yet. Highs will only top out in the low 20s in Philadelphia, and it will feel more like the teens in most places. Friday temperatures moderate into the 30s, but blustery conditions return. Expect another shot of artic air during the first half of the weekend.
With all of this cold air, the Delaware Valley thankfully won't have to deal with any snow over the next several days, except for a few flurries. While there isn't much going on today, the same cannot be said for the same date 19 years ago. On January 7th, 1996, 27.6" of snow fell, the highest snowfall total for one day since records began!
For many, the wind and cold is more than enough to deal with for one week.