Sunny and frigid in the Philadelphia region with wicked wind chills. Here's the forecast.
Sunday brings us the coldest day so far — which is coincidentally the first full day of winter. Expect mostly sunny skies, breezy conditions and highs in the 20s (teens for the mountains). It'll feel more like the single digits and teens most of the day, however.
Monday morning you will need extra layers and extra time to warm up the car as temperatures will range from 8 to 13 degrees.
In Philadelphia, the forecast is 12 degrees and while not the record low, (the record low was 7 degrees in 1989) it will be one of the earliest temperatures in the low teens in quite a while. Only twice in the past 20 years have we had a temperature this low this early in the season. The last time was on Dec. 23, 2022, when the mercury hit 9 degrees, and again on Dec. 20, 2004, when we dipped to 10 degrees.
Afternoon highs on Monday will hover near freezing under partly cloudy skies.
Please make sure to provide your pets with a warm and dry place, preferably indoors. They are not used to the frigid arctic air any more than we are.
On Tuesday, Christmas Eve, skies will be cloudy, and a brief wintry mix is possible during the morning hours. A weather system will be passing by from west to east and may produce a brief period of snow. It will not be present all day, but as it passes, the snow/wintry mix could be locally impactful during that time. Stay weather-aware and up-to-date with the forecast if you are heading out to celebrate the holiday.
Highs will still be cold, topping out near 40 degrees. The normal high is 44 degrees.
On Christmas Day, Wednesday, highs will reach 40 under partly sunny skies. Hanukkah begins Wednesday night with partly cloudy skies. Thursday is the first day of Kwanzaa and will be mostly sunny and seasonable in the low 40s.
As we look ahead toward the final weekend of 2024, the temperatures will warm back into the upper 40s, and rain showers are possible.
Here's your 7-day weather forecast
Sunday: Coldest yet. High 27, Low 17.
Monday: Still very cold. High 32, Low 12.
Tuesday: Chance of shower/snow shower. High 40, Low 24.
Wednesday: Dry Christmas Day. High 40, Low 28.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 43, Low 28.
Friday: Increasing clouds. High 44, Low 27.
Saturday: Early mix/showers. High 47, Low 33.