December 20, 2022
Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice
Freezing temperatures, strong winds and rain are expected to hit Philadelphia over the holiday weekend. It is expected to be the coldest Christmas Day since 1989, with a high temperature around 25 and low around 16.
Philadelphia probably won't get a white Christmas, but it will be getting a cold one.
Meteorologists are warning of frigid temperatures in most of the country this weekend as revelers prepare for one of the chilliest holiday weekends in recent memory. Airlines have already issued numerous waivers to allow passengers to rebook flights scheduled for this week, since snow storms are expected in western and central parts of the U.S.
On Tuesday, the National Weather Service forecast "dangerously cold temperatures" over the next couple days, as the so-called bomb cyclone blasts arctic air, freezing rain and snow across the country. Heavy snowfall is expected to start in the Rockies and Pacific Northwest by mid-week, moving to the Midwest by Thursday — including Chicago, whose O'Hare International Airport is a major hub for holiday travelers. "Bitter" wind chills will also blow through the area this week, while freezing rain will hit the East Coast.
"Our current forecast high temperatures for Philadelphia on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are in the 20s," NWS Mount Holly tweeted on Dec. 20. "The last time that happened was 1989, making this Christmas Eve/Christmas Day potentially the coldest in over 30 years."
There are currently over 40 weather watches or warnings in effect for Pennsylvania, and the NWS is advising people to prepare for strong winds and potential power outages. In New Jersey, wind advisories and multiple flood watches are in effect through Friday, Dec. 23.
With a deep freeze expected to occur from Friday night through early next week, now is a good time to take a few precautions against the cold. Strong winds are also expected Friday through Friday night, so be prepared for isolated power outages as well. #PAwx #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/hAZ32xKfDB
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) December 20, 2022
What does this mean for the over 110 million Americans expected to travel this week? As reported by CNN, major airlines including United, American, Southwest, JetBlue and Delta have issued winter waivers allowing travelers who purchased tickets for this week to rebook without change fees. Alaska Airlines has also announced waivers for Seattle flights, while Spirit has issued waivers for flights to a handful of Midwestern cities between Dec. 21 and Dec. 23.
PennDOT may issue speed restrictions, as it did last week amid winter storm forecasts. Drivers can access weather alerts and road conditions through 511PA's website, Twitter or smartphone app.
Temperatures in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening are hovering around the low 40s, with highs in the low 50s forecast for Thursday and Friday, but don't get comfortable — those numbers will nosedive by Saturday and Sunday, with predicted highs of 25.
Here's the complete NWS forecast through Monday:
• WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny, high near 41. Overnight, increasing clouds with a low around 28.
• THURSDAY: Rain. High near 49. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Overnight, rain and low temperature around 47. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph with gusts as high as 35 mph.
• FRIDAY: Rain before 10 a.m., then rain and snow between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., then a slight chance of snow after 1 p.m. Temperature falling to around 21 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Overnight, 40 mph wind gusts and low temperature of 11 degrees
• SATURDAY: Mostly sunny and cold. High temperature near 21 degrees. Overnight, partly cloudy with a low around 15.
• SUNDAY: Sunny and cold. High near 26. Overnight, mostly clear with a low around 16.
• MONDAY: Mostly sunny, high near 29. Overnight, mostly cloudy. Low temperature around 21.
