Brutally cold conditions on the way

A wild swing in temperatures are on the way today as morning temperatures in the 50's and even lower 60's in a few isolated locations will crash this afternoon through the 40's, 30's, and 20's with periods of rain ending as light snow showers.  Then Arctic cold air invades by tomorrow morning with low temperatures in the single digits and lower teens.  A 50 to 60 degree temperature swing is on the way the next 24 hours!

Today, a powerful Arctic cold front will drive through the Philadelphia and New York City metropolitan areas today with periods of rain, heavy at times, this morning.  The rain may end as a brief period of snow however no accumulation is expected.  Winds will veer from the south to the northwest at 15 to 30 mph with gusts over 40 mph at times.  Temperatures will fall through the 50's, 40's, and 30's this afternoon and into the 20's and 10's tonight.  As this cold air invades, any wet pavement will become icy and slick.  Use extreme caution on untreated roads and walk ways!

Tonight through tomorrow, arctic high pressure will take hold with clearing skies and brutally cold temperatures.  While skies will clear, winds will not abate from the northwest at 15 to 30 mph.  Temperatures will fall into the single digits below zero over the interior and single digits to lower 10's along the coast for lows.  High temperatures will barely rise in the single digits to lower 10's.  Combine these temperatures with the strong winds and wind chills will struggle in the 10's below zero to single digits.  Frost bite is a serious threat.

High pressure will remain in control on Wednesday with slightly warmer conditions. Winds will weaken from the northwest at 5 to 15 mph.  Low temperatures will range from the single digits to lower 10's.  High temperatures will rebound to the upper 10's to lower 20's over the interior and lower to mid 20's along the coast.

High pressure will give way on Thursday with increasing clouds expected.  An area of low pressure will pass to the south of the Philadelphia and New York City metropolitan areas with a period of light snow and snow showers expected Thursday night into Friday morning.  Only a dusting is expected from this system, if that, over the northern interior, a dusting to 2 inches can be expected for the New York City metropolitan areas, and a dusting to 3 inches of snow can be expected for the Philadelphia metropolitan area by Friday morning.  Temperatures on Thursday will range from the upper 10's to lower 20's for lows and mid to upper 30's for highs.  Temperatures on Friday will range from the mid 20's to lower 30's for lows and upper 30's to mid 40's for highs.

A warm front will drive through the region on Saturday with periods of rain and some fog.  Overcast conditions and scattered showers will linger through Sunday as well.  Temperatures will rise to above normal levels as the yearly January thaw takes hold.  Temperatures on Saturday will range from the mid to upper 30's for lows and upper 40's to mid 50's for highs.  Temperatures on Sunday will range from the upper 30's to lower 40's for lows and lower to mid 50's for highs.