PHILADELPHIA, PA – Cold air continues to tighten its grip on eastern Pennsylvania as December’s first winter tease edges closer. The region woke under clear skies and 32°F this morning, but forecasters warn a light snow chance could develop by Friday afternoon and evening, possibly dusting the area with up to a half inch before dawn Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service, a passing disturbance will slide across the Mid-Atlantic late Friday, bringing colder, moist air over the Delaware Valley. Temperatures are expected to hover near freezing, meaning wet roads may quickly refreeze — especially along I-95, Route 1, and the Schuylkill Expressway. Even minor accumulation could lead to slick bridges and ramps during the Friday evening commute.
Winds will stay calm through the system, but the chill will deepen overnight. Lows near 26°F will make it feel closer to the upper teens before sunrise Saturday. For holiday shoppers and travelers heading out early, use caution on shaded roads and sidewalks where patchy ice may linger.
By Saturday, skies turn partly sunny with highs around 40°F, offering a brief break in the cold. But don’t let the reprieve fool you — long-range NOAA outlooks from December 11–17 show a strong signal for below-normal temperatures across the Northeast, hinting at another Arctic push and potential snowier pattern as Christmas travel ramps up.
Five-Day Outlook (Philadelphia, PA)
- Friday: Partly sunny, snow chance late. High 32°F.
- Friday Night: 40% chance light snow, low 26°F.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, high 40°F.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, high 42°F.
- Monday–Tuesday: Mostly clear, highs near 35°F, lows near 20°F.
