Heavy rain, gusty winds moving through Philadelphia region today. Here's the weather forecast.
Plan on rain on and off today in the Philadelphia region with gusty winds — it might be a good idea to deflate holiday decorations or add an extra tie. The weather forecast calls for the area to see rainfall totals between 1 and 3 inches by late afternoon and early evening.
As far as timing goes, we expect the strongest line of downpours and thunderstorms to cross the city around the noon hour and then move toward the shore points by 1-2 p.m.
This line may potentially turn briefly severe, especially over the coastal zones of New Jersey and Delaware.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed that part of our region in a Slight Risk (level 2 out of 5) for severe weather. Winds in any thunderstorm within that line have the potential to gust over 40 mph and lead to possible downed branches or spotty power outages.
While the midday line will have the greatest potential to turn severe and produce blinding downpours, another push of heavy rain will likely arrive in the city between 4 and 5 p.m. and continue through the evening commute, eventually moving offshore after 9 p.m. This will cause major slowdowns in the evening commute across the area.
Localized flooding is possible, and there could be delays at the airport. Temperatures will be warm in the low to mid-60s, pushing the record high of 68 degrees set in 2021, but a blast of Arctic air will arrive on the backside of this storm, and lows will fall to the 20s and 30s by Thursday morning.
If enough moisture is left tonight, the rain could turn to a mix before midnight, with some snow possible in the Poconos, but little to no accumulation is expected for those areas well to the north.
On Thursday and Friday, you need to put the umbrella and rain boots away and break out the puffy coats and all the winter gear again. The coldest air of the season arrives with highs in the mid-30s to near 40 degrees and wind chills in the teens. Skies will be mostly sunny across the Delaware Valley.
The weekend looks to be mixed with mostly sunny skies Saturday and a chance of rain Sunday. Highs will be in the 40s on Saturday and upper 40s to low 50s on Sunday.
Even though it will feel like spring for the next few days, astronomical winter (the official start) is now less than two weeks away on Dec. 21 (4:19 a.m. in Philadelphia).
Here is your 7-day forecast
Wednesday: NEXT Weather Alert for heavy rain, gusty winds. High of 64, low of 52.
Thursday: Sunny, breezy and cold. High of 40, low of 34.
Friday: Sunny and cold. High of 39, low of 24.
Saturday: Clouds, some sun. High of 44, low of 25.
Sunday: Few showers. High of 50, low of 34.
Monday: A shower or two. High of 54, low of 42.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High of 55, low of 44.
