The coldest air felt in our area in the past two decades is moving into the region bringing sub-zero wind chills that could spell danger for anyone exposed to the cold for even a short time.
Temperatures hovered around a balmy 60 degrees on Monday morning, but steadily tumbled down towards the freezing mark.
NBC10 First Alert Meteorologist Tedd Florendo says by Tuesday, the mercury will be in the low teens in Philadelphia – far below the record of 20 degrees set back in 1994.
Adding insult to injury, strong winds will be gusting up to 40 mph as the arctic air mass sets into place. Florendo says those gusts will bring the wind chills as low as -15 degrees.
"It doesn't take much wind in order to get really cold and with gusts up to 35 to 40 mph, that's what's giving us these dangerous conditions," he said.
The sub-zero wind chills are such a concern that the National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Advisory, lasting until Tuesday afternoon, warning people to limit outdoor activity.
The morning rush on Tuesday is expected to have the coldest temperatures and lowest wind chills – making for a very bitter commute for anyone traveling to work or school. Icing brought on by melting snow could also create slippery conditions, Florendo says.
TIMELINE
Philadelphia & The Surrounding Suburbs
MONDAY
| TIME | TEMPERATURE | WIND CHILL | WINDS |
| 10 p.m. | 24 degrees | 9 degrees | 23 mph | 36 mph gusts |
TUESDAY
| TIME | TEMPERATURE | WIND CHILL | WINDS |
| 2 a.m. | 17 degrees | -1 degrees | 24 mph | 34 mph gusts |
| 9 a.m. | 10 degrees | -10 degrees | 24 mph | 37 mph gusts |
|
3 p.m. |
13 degrees | -5 degrees | 21 mph | 31 mph gusts |
| 10 p.m. | 9 degrees | -7 degrees | 13 mph | No gusts |
Lehigh Valley
MONDAY
| TIME | TEMPERATURE | WIND CHILL | WINDS |
| 10 p.m. | 19 degrees | 2 degrees | 22 mph | 36 mph gusts |
TUESDAY
| TIME | TEMPERATURE | WIND CHILL | WINDS |
| 2 a.m. | 11 degrees | -9 degrees | 24 mph | 34 mph gusts |
| 9 a.m. | 5 degrees | -17 degrees | 23 mph | 34 mph gusts |
|
3 p.m. |
8 degrees | -12 degrees | 21 mph | 31 mph gusts |
| 10 p.m. | 6 degrees | -12 degrees | 15 mph | No gusts |
BEING PREPARED
Spending even a short amount of time in the extreme cold without the proper attire can have dire consequences. Here are some ways to be prepared.
AVOIDING HYPOTHERMIA & FROSTBITE
Main Line Health Emergency Department Physician Dr. Leonard Ulan, Jr. says keeping your skin covered and dry is the first line of defense from the extreme cold. He outlines ways to prevent the elderly, children and adults from becoming victims here.
10 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY, HOME & CAR SAFE
You not only have to protect yourself if you must go outside in the arctic cold, but also inside your home. We have 10 tips to ensure you're prepared to prevent freezing pipes and know what to do if you get stuck on the road.
TRAVEL ALERTS
SEPTA, NJ Transit and Amtrak are modifying their schedules and offering additional services in anticipation for Tuesday’s extreme cold. Click here for more information.
Photo Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS