Blast of Chilly Air Could Bring Snow to the Region
By Steven Strouss
PHILADELPHIA (CBS)--It's been a discouraging winter so far for snow lovers. Only .3" of snow has been measured in Philadelphia this season. Some of our biggest snow storms have occurred in January like last year's monster storm which dumped over a foot and half of snow in the Delaware Valley on January 23rd but nothing like that looms on the horizon. In the short term forecast we are expecting a blast of cold and the possibility of only modest snow events.
Much colder air is advancing East
Temperatures ahead of the front today will top off in the low 50s but right now wind chills across the Dakotas and central Canada are as low as 25 degrees below zero. Some of that cold air will be ushered in to our neighborhoods overnight tonight by strong westerly winds and temperatures by tomorrow morning will plummet to the mid 20s.
Despite some afternoon sunshine, highs will be stuck in the mid 30s tomorrow and Friday.
Saturday through Monday will be the coldest days with lows in the teens and highs falling short of the freezing point each day. Plan for at least 60 hours below freezing this weekend as the Arctic air settles in.
Chances of Snow
The cold weather ahead is a guarantee but the chance for accumulating snow remains a bit uncertain.
The first chance of snow will occur on Friday morning. A weak disturbance moving through the Midwest will tap in to Atlantic moisture once it hits the coast. This will enhance the system but only lead to light snow with the greatest chance south and east of Philadelphia and perhaps an inch or two along the coast.
The second chance for snow is on Saturday.
The storm didn't even form yet but we're watching the potential for a system that will cut across the southeast and climb up the coast. This may brush the Delaware and New Jersey coastlines with another round of light snow as it moves offshore Saturday, but that is not a sure thing. We'll keep an eye on it but for now keep your winter jackets, scarves, hats and gloves close by.
Stay with CBS Philly for the latest: Radar | Forecast | Traffic Map
