Coldest air since 2018 comes to Philadelphia region following weekend snowfall. Here's the forecast.
The quick-moving system that brought snow to the Philadelphia area has moved out, and now the real chill begins. After several inches of snow fell Sunday night, temperatures are plummeting. The first of two major pushes of Arctic air arrived Monday.
Plenty of sunshine for your Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, with temperatures in the mid-20s. Wind chills will be in the teens and single digits all day long and with winds picking up, it won't feel any warmer this afternoon.
With that said, a cold weather advisory is in effect, meaning frostbite and hypothermia are serious threats to those spending any significant time outside. A cold weather advisory — a new product that was first issued this past November — replaces the wind chill advisory.
By Monday night, we drop to the single digits in the city and near or below zero in some areas away from the city.
A PennDOT spokesperson says operations shifted to clearing secondary roads Monday, and salting operations will continue as concerns for refreeze remain.
Tuesday and Wednesday will only see highs in the mid-teens with lows across the region between minus 2 and 9 degrees. 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 to minus zero at night with the feels-like temperature between 0 to 10 during the day.
On Thursday, we remain in the deep freeze but will finally climb above freezing for the first time in nearly five days on Friday.
Next weekend gives us some relief, with temperatures climbing into the 40s by Sunday.
Philadelphia schools to open 2 hours late Tuesday
The School District of Philadelphia schools and offices will open two hours late on Tuesday, the district announced.
Archdiocese of Philadelphia parochial elementary schools in the city of Philadelphia will open two hours late, but high schools will operate on a normal schedule.
Follow Philadelphia-area school closings and delays here.
Philadelphia snow totals
Sunday's snowstorm brought more than 7 inches of snow to the Poconos and the Lehigh Valley, 4-6 inches in the northwest suburbs and 2-3 inches to the city with much lower amounts further south. That snow will be sticking around for quite some time as the Arctic air invades the region, and temperatures will be below freezing likely until Friday, with wind chills staying below 15 degrees through early Thursday.
READ MORE: How much snow did Philadelphia get this weekend? Here are the snow totals.
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.
7-day NEXT Weather forecast:
Monday: NEXT Weather Alert for cold. High 25, Low 18.
Tuesday: NEXT Weather Alert for cold. High 19, Low 8.
Wednesday: NEXT Weather Alert for cold (the coldest day of the week). High 18, Low 8.
Thursday: NEXT Weather Alert for cold. High 30, Low 8.
Friday: Thawing out. High 36, Low 15.
Saturday: Not as cold. High 39, Low 17.
Sunday: Now we're talkin'. High 45, Low 30.
