Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — The coldest air of the season is set to shatter temperature records across the Philadelphia region heading into the weekend, before a weak coastal system brushes the Jersey Shore and coastal Delaware with light snow on Sunday.
A First Alert remains in effect through Saturday morning as dangerous wind chills push apparent temperatures well below 10 degrees across the region.
Record Lows and Dangerous Wind Chills
Overnight into early Friday, temperatures in the Philadelphia metro are expected to drop to around 4 degrees, which would break the previous record of 7 degrees set in 2019. Gusty winds will drive wind chills below zero, making conditions feel even harsher during the morning commute.
Friday offers little relief. Afternoon highs are forecast to stall in the upper teens, while wind chills linger in the single digits for much of the day.
The bitter cold continues into Saturday, with early-morning single-digit temperatures once again. Despite sunshine, highs will struggle to climb past the low 20s, keeping the region locked in a deep freeze.
Sunday: Cold Persists, Snow Stays Coastal
By Sunday, temperatures remain well below normal, with highs in the mid-20s. Attention then turns to a coastal weather system expected to slide offshore, bringing light snow to the immediate coast.
Forecasters say 1 to 3 inches of snow are possible along the Jersey Shore and Delaware beaches, mainly during the morning hours. Farther inland, including Philadelphia, the system may only produce passing flurries, with no meaningful accumulation expected.
Read Also: Coastal Snowstorm to Slam Carolinas, Likely Skips Most of Tri-State Region
In addition to light snow, minor coastal flooding could develop at high tide along the Jersey Shore due to persistent onshore flow and elevated tides.
Slow Warmup Early Next Week
A gradual moderation begins Monday, with highs returning to the low 30s under sunny skies. The best chance to finally climb above freezing comes Tuesday, when temperatures may reach the mid-30s with mostly clear conditions.
Even with the modest rebound, forecasters note that temperatures will remain below seasonal averages, and snow and ice will be slow to melt.
Residents are urged to limit time outdoors, dress in layers, protect pets and pipes, and stay alert for changing coastal conditions this weekend.
Are you feeling the cold where you live, or expecting snow near the coast? Share what you’re seeing and how you’re preparing in the comments below.
