Bitterly cold wind chills impacting Philadelphia region Thursday. Here's the weather forecast.
Thursday is a NEXT Weather Alert Day for bitterly cold wind chill temperatures in the forecast and snow showers passing this morning.
A line of wind-driven rain and snow showers crossed the Philadelphia area from northwest to southeast starting before 5 a.m. Thursday, and began dropping rain over Philadelphia, South Jersey and Delaware later in the morning.
A wind advisory is in effect for the entire region through 10 p.m. Thursday. Wind gusts will be between 40 to 50 mph for the entire area except the shore where winds will gust to 55 mph. The wind could knock down branches, cause power outages and travel delays.
What is a snow squall? Storm brings weather alerts across Pennsylvania, New Jersey Thursday
Later in the morning Thursday, snow squall alerts were issued northwest of Philadelphia.
Around 9 a.m., the National Weather Service issued multiple snow squall warnings for the northwestern portions of our region, including northwestern Mercer County in New Jersey as well as southeastern Berks County, southeastern Lehigh County, northwestern Montgomery County, northern Chester County, northwestern Bucks County and southeastern Northampton County. After a few extensions, those warnings were expired by 11 a.m.
If you ever have to drive through a snow squall, be aware that driving could quickly become hazardous. In that event, slow down and use caution.
How cold will it get in Philadelphia? Prep for Arctic wind chills
Snow isn't the primary impact of this storm, the big weather story is what comes after.
Very cold Arctic air will sweep in with gusts between 40 and 55 mph, creating travel delays and scattered power outages.
The temperatures will also plummet to the low and mid-30s as the coldest air this season arrives later today, tonight and tomorrow. The wind chills will hover in the teens and 20s through tonight.
If you're headed to the lighting of Philadelphia's holiday tree tonight, definitely bundle up and wear a hat and gloves, maybe a scarf. It will feel like 23 when the pre-lighting festivities start at 6 p.m. - the lighting happens at 7 p.m.
By Friday, sunshine and wind will return, but the warm air will not. We will end our week very cold, with highs in the mid-30s and a wind chill in the 20s.
The weekend will be warmer, less windy and partly to mostly sunny, with highs in the 40s on Saturday and 50s on Sunday.
That above-average warmth sticks around next week, with highs touching the low 60s on Tuesday. Snow isn't in the forecast next week with such mild days, but rain is possible both Monday and Wednesday.
Winter's first official day is just 16 days away on Dec. 21. The Winter Solstice takes place in Philadelphia at 4:19 a.m. that day. It is the time each year when all places on the planet should receive equal hours of daylight and darkness. After Dec. 21, we will see more hours of sunlight each day.
It does turn a bit more seasonable, with temperatures near 50 for the Eagles' potential playoff-clinching game Sunday. It will be partly cloudy and breezy. No rain or snow is expected, and the winds will be southwest at 10-15 mph.
A return to the 50s and even a 60-degree day are possible next week.
Stay with us here. The NEXT Weather team will keep you updated on any changes that arise.
Here's your 7-day forecast:
Thursday: NEXT Weather Alert Day, high of 42, low of 39.
Friday: Blustery and cold, high of 37, low of 29.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, high of 40, low of 26.
Sunday: Milder and nice, high of 50, low of 28.
Monday: A few showers, high of 52, low of 35.
Tuesday: Showers, high of 61, low of 48.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy and cold, high of 58, low of 48.
