Pennsylvania – Cold air bites hard across the Delaware Valley this morning, frosting windshields and stiffening pavement before sunrise. Breath clouds instantly. Side streets feel brittle. This stretch of winter weather is not letting up, and the next few days bring mounting concerns for travel and safety.
According to the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, a Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect for parts of southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, southern New Jersey, and northeast Maryland through Thursday morning. Wind chills have dipped as low as 10 below zero at times, creating a heightened risk of frostbite and hypothermia during early commutes and outdoor work.
In Philadelphia and Wilmington, daytime temperatures struggle to rise out of the teens and lower 20s through Friday. Nights plunge into the single digits. Any moisture that melts during daylight can refreeze quickly after sunset, raising the risk of flash freezing. Drivers should slow down on bridges, ramps, and shaded roadways, including I-95, I-476, and Route 202.
Meteorologists are now watching a developing system late Friday into the weekend. Snow becomes possible late Saturday into Sunday, with light accumulations capable of causing outsized impacts. Even small snowfall amounts could reduce visibility, coat untreated roads, and disrupt weekend travel plans. Conditions may deteriorate quickly after dark. Plan extra time if traveling and keep winter supplies in vehicles.
The broader pattern supports the persistence. The Great Lakes are nearly 50 percent frozen, reinforcing cold air across the Midwest and East Coast. Farther south, much warmer air surges into the Southeast, sharpening contrasts that often fuel winter systems in the Mid-Atlantic.
Colder air lingers into early next week, though precipitation chances ease after Sunday. Additional advisories could follow as confidence increases.
Five-Day Outlook for Philadelphia, PA / Wilmington, DE
Today: Increasing clouds, high near 20
Tonight: Mostly clear, low near 5
Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 20
Friday: Mostly sunny, high near 18
Saturday: Cloudy, high near 19; snow possible late into Sunday
