Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – A prolonged and unusually dangerous stretch of cold weather is settling into the region, with single-digit overnight lows and wind chills below zero expected multiple nights this week, according to the National Weather Service.
A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for the entire region from tonight through Wednesday morning, as an arctic air mass keeps temperatures well below normal. Forecasters say wind chill values between 0 and 10 degrees below zero are expected across much of the area tonight and Tuesday night, with wind chills as low as 15 degrees below zero in the Poconos.
Daytime high temperatures are forecast to remain in the teens and 20s, with some locations struggling to rise above freezing for several days. Overnight lows are expected to fall into the single digits and low teens, marking one of the coldest sustained periods of the winter season.
The National Weather Service notes that record low highs and record lows could be threatened later this week, as the cold pattern persists longer than is typical for the region. Even colder wind chills are possible Wednesday night through Friday night, increasing the risk of hypothermia and frostbite with prolonged exposure.
Officials also warn of black ice, frozen pipes, and increased strain on heating systems following the recent winter storm. Residents are urged to limit time outdoors, dress in multiple layers, and ensure pets, pipes, and vulnerable individuals are protected from the cold.
This extended cold spell is expected to continue through the remainder of the week, with only gradual moderation possible toward the weekend.
