Snow and ice stick around as extreme cold moves in to Philadelphia. Here's the forecast.
Follow Philadelphia-area school closings and delays here.
Extreme Arctic cold has descended upon the Philadelphia region. This is the coldest air the area has seen since 2018.
Tuesday and Wednesday, we will only see high temperatures in the mid-teens with lows across the region between -2 and 9 degrees.
If there's snow on the ground near you, don't expect much melting in the next few days. The temperatures won't be right for it.
By Wednesday morning, another reinforcing push of Arctic air means even the city of Philadelphia may feel between minus 5 and minus 10. Wind chills will dip below zero at night with the feels-like temperature between 0 to 10 during the day.
A cold weather advisory is in effect until noon Wednesday across the region, and NEXT Weather Alerts are in place until Thursday morning to keep you aware of this extreme cold.
On Thursday, we remain in the deep freeze, but the temperature finally climbs above freezing for the first time in nearly five days on Friday.
Next weekend gives us some relief, with temperatures likely climbing into the 40s by Sunday — just in time for the Eagles-Commanders game!
Philadelphia-area school closings
Multiple schools will have delayed openings on Tuesday due to the frigid temperatures and lingering snowy conditions from the weekend.
Follow Philadelphia-area school closings and delays here.
READ MORE: How much snow did Philadelphia get this weekend? Here are the snow totals.
Polar vortex: where this cold air comes from
The term first entered the lexicon about 10 years ago but the polar vortex is always there.
It's a persistent low that stays over the polar regions like northern Canada and Russia. But every now and then you can get an area of low pressure or a front that's able to drag some of that polar air southward toward us.
This polar air is also bringing dangerous cold and winter storms to parts of the American South, where more snow was expected Tuesday, especially in the Florida panhandle.
Winter weather checklist
This is a good time to remember the 3 "Ps" — people, pets and pipes.
- People: Check on the elderly, make sure they have heat, and all children bundled up for the bus in the morning should be dressed in multiple layers, with hats, gloves, scarves and all extremities covered.
- Pets: If we don't like this weather, they don't either. Make sure to limit those bathroom breaks and walks.
- Pipes: For older homes especially, make sure to wrap older pipes in towels or rags and have a light trickle dripping in the rarely used sinks and faucets to prevent pipes from bursting.
Staying warm and safe
Pennsylvania has a list of warming centers online. See New Jersey's list of warming centers here.
In Philadelphia, many libraries and recreation centers serve as warming centers. See a list and map of the locations online.
Signs of hypothermia and frostbite
Doctors say when it's below freezing your body loses heat more quickly than it can be produced. Plus, any amount of time spent in the cold, you're at risk for hypothermia.
Warning signs of hypothermia include:
- Shivering
- Exhaustion
- Confusion
- Fumbling hands
- Memory loss
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness
Frostbite is another danger for people who spend an extended amount of time outside in subfreezing temperatures. It can develop in 30 minutes or less on any exposed skin.
Signs of frostbite include redness or pain which is when you should get inside, remove wet clothing and soak the areas in warm water. But if you're noticing the skin is turning a dusky gray or blue, or begins blistering, you should seek emergency medical attention.
7-day NEXT Weather forecast:
Tuesday: NEXT Weather Alert for cold. High 19, Low 8.
Wednesday: NEXT Weather Alert for cold. High 20, Low 7.
Thursday: NEXT Weather Alert for cold. High 29, Low 8.
Friday: Thawing out. High 32, Low 16.
Saturday: Not as cold. High 36, Low 15.
Sunday: Now we're talkin'. High 42, Low 28.
Monday: Chilly day. High 37, Low 30.