Philadelphia, PA – Pennsylvania may see a surge of early-winter cold heading into Thanksgiving week, increasing the risk of frostbite and hypothermia, according to updated projections from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Nov. 19 temperature outlook highlights a sharp pattern shift expected to begin November 25, bringing colder-than-normal air to much of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic through early December.
According to NOAA, the arriving cold is being shaped by the ongoing La Niña pattern, the Madden–Julian Oscillation, and the potential for a rare late-November sudden stratospheric warming event. The combined setup may drive Arctic air into the North-Central and Eastern U.S., putting Pennsylvania squarely within the below-normal temperature zone.
With millions traveling for Thanksgiving, attending outdoor events, and participating in early holiday shopping, health officials warn that frostbite and hypothermia can develop faster than many people realize — especially with added wind chill.
Key frostbite symptoms include:
• Numbness or loss of feeling
• Tingling or prickling sensations
• Cold, hard, waxy-looking skin
• Skin discoloration (red, white, blue, gray, or purple)
• Blisters that may form after rewarming
Ten important signs of hypothermia:
Shivering, slurred speech, slow breathing, weak pulse, confusion, memory loss, severe fatigue, stumbling or clumsiness, drowsiness, and — in severe cases — loss of consciousness. Infants may present with bright red, cold skin and unusually low energy.
NOAA urges Pennsylvanians to dress warmly in layers, cover exposed skin, and limit time outdoors during the coldest periods of the holiday week. Anyone showing frostbite or hypothermia symptoms should seek immediate medical attention and begin warming the affected areas with warm — not hot — water or gentle body heat.
