Meteorological winter started on Sunday with partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies and some of the coldest temperatures in the region since last February! We remain on the cold side, with many areas averaging 8-12 degrees below average all week. The winter solstice, also known as astronomical winter, begins on December 21st at 4:19 am here in Philadelphia.
After a fairly clear night, expect Monday to start like Sunday, with calm but very cold conditions. Pack your morning – we’ll wake up in the low and mid 20s with wind chills in the teens. Be sure to make special preparations for pets with a warm place to stay and fresh water that won’t freeze.
CBS News Philadelphia
The Arctic blast will continue over the next week as a new lobe of even colder air arrives from Canada. Each day will top out in the low 40s or upper 30s. The warmest day of next week will be Thursday, with highs around 40 degrees. Nights this week will be in the low 20s and wind chills will be in the low 20s every day.
An even colder air mass arrives next weekend, and we drop back down to highs in the mid and upper 30s.
This would be the perfect week for snow, but unfortunately the pattern will be mostly dry and sunny with only a chance of snow showers late Wednesday and Thursday morning as a weak system moves overhead.
At this time we expect little or no accumulation. The only place with feet of snow is near the Great Lakes. The lake effect snow machine runs in high gear, with snow tires dumping heavy snow on the east and southeast sides of the lakes. If you travel that way, be prepared for slow travel and snowy roads.
Stay with us here, the NEXT Weather Team will keep you informed of any future changes.
Here’s your seven-day forecast:
CBS News Philadelphia
Monday: Mostly sunny, high 41, low 25.
Tuesday: Sunny and cold, maximum 43, minimum 27.
Wednesday: Overnight gusts, high 43, low 26.
Thursday: Windy day, high 45, low 39.
Friday: Sunny and cold, maximum 36, minimum 28.
Saturday: A few late flakes, high 37, low 25.
Sunday: Partly cloudy and cold, high 44, low 28.
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