Philadelphia, PA – A crisp December chill settles over the Delaware Valley as the week unfolds, signaling the first true winter turn of the season. By Thursday, rain is expected to shift to a wintry mix before temperatures tumble near freezing — a setup that could lead to slick roads for commuters and early travelers.
According to the National Weather Service, Philadelphia will warm briefly to the mid-40s on Wednesday before dropping into the lower 30s overnight. That temperature swing could spark a rain-to-snow changeover across southeastern Pennsylvania and parts of South Jersey. Winds from the southwest may gust up to 30 mph, adding bite to the damp chill and creating visibility challenges during evening travel.
Residents are urged to plan extra time for morning and evening commutes and watch for “flash freeze” conditions — when melted precipitation quickly refreezes on untreated roads, especially bridges and ramps along I-76, I-95, and Route 1.
Thursday brings brief relief with sunny skies and highs in the upper 30s, though models now hint at another snow chance late Friday into Saturday as colder air deepens across the Mid-Atlantic. The region could be entering a prolonged cold snap as Arctic air pushes south through Dec. 17, bringing temperatures 10–15 degrees below normal.
5-Day Outlook (Dec. 9–13)
- Wednesday: High 44°F, rain changing to mix; breezy.
- Thursday: High 38°F, mostly sunny and cold.
- Friday: High 38°F, snow possible late (40% chance).
- Saturday: High 40°F, light snow possible; cold wind continues.
- Sunday: High near 33°F, partly sunny and brisk.
