Bitter Cold Winds

Bundle up when you step out the door Tuesday morning. You'll be hit with icy cold wind chills that could be below zero, depending on where you live. Another arctic blast moved into our area, causing temperatures to drop drastically.

A wind chill advisory will be in effect for the north and west suburbs(Chester, Upper Bucks, Montgomery counties) from 1 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

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While temperatures were in the mid-40s midday Monday, they plummeted as the winds switched directions. A bitter cold front brought in subfreezing temperatures from Canada. By midnight, temperatures fell to 12 degrees with wind chills that ranged from the single digits to temperatures below 0.

Tuesday morning will be frigid, windy and cold. The winds will die down a bit and temperatures will rise throughout the day but not much, with a high of 19.

1 a.m. Wind Chills

5 a.m. Wind Chills

7 a.m. Wind Chills

3 p.m. Wind Chills

In anticipation of the cold, SEPTA officials called in extra workers to monitor conditions and keep an eye out on older vehicles. Train cars will also be stored in subway tunnels overnight to keep them warmer for riders.

Officials with PJM, the company that operates the tri-state region's power grid, are also asking consumers to conserve energy on Tuesday if health permits, especially from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

PJM officials advise consumers to set thermostats lower than usual, postpone using electrical appliances(ie. stoves, dishwashers, clothes dryers) until mid-day or after 9 p.m., and turn off electric lights and appliances that you don't need or aren't using.

Slippery road conditions caused by freezing are another concern for Tuesday.

Southerly winds pushed temps into the low 40s by midday on Monday which teamed with mostly sunny skies to help melt off some of the snow and ice left from the last two snowstorms.

The melt off caused moisture to spill onto area roads and sidewalks. Those areas will freeze overnight. However, strong winds could help to prevent icing on area roads for Tuesday morning’s commute.

NBC10 First Alert Weather chief meteorologist Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz says that the brisk winds with gusts up to 35 mph will help evaporate moisture on roads -- especially major roads.

There could still be some icy and slushy spots on area roads overnight with slush and water refreezing on side streets and less used roads so be careful driving out there in any case.

There is also the possibility of snow in a few areas Tuesday night. A winter weather advisory is in effect for Sussex County, Delaware from 5 p.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. on Wednesday.

A southeastern storm will bring heavy snow to the Carolina coasts and shore areas in Delaware and New Jersey will be on the northern fringe.

"Some models do bring measurable snow to Sussex County, Delaware and South Jersey Shore Tuesday night," Glenn said.

NBC10 First Alert Weather meteorologist Sheena Parveen says 2 to 4 inches of snow are possible in Sussex County.

"Some of the latest models are giving a few inches of snow to the shore, but no advisory has been issued there at the moment," Parveen said.

The bitter cold will remain on Wednesday though temperatures will slowly rise to a high of 25. Temps should finally move back up above the freezing mark by Thursday with a high of 31. By Friday, temperatures will be around 40 degrees and will rise to 50 degrees on Saturday. Rain is also expected to hit the area late Saturday and early Sunday before clearing out, leading to a dry Super Bowl.