Chilly but dry conditions return

A brutally cold air mass has taken hold this morning leading to a hard freeze that will have a significant impact on the crops and vegetation throughout the Philadelphia and New York City metropolitan areas.  The good news is that temperatures in the 20's and 30's this morning will rebound rapidly into the 40's and 50's by this afternoon.  A more seasonable weather pattern will take hold by tomorrow through early next week.  However with the warmer temperatures will come the threat for showers.

High pressure will be in control today on through Friday with clear skies to scattered cloud cover expected.  Winds will be from the northwest at 10 to 20 mph this morning, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph this afternoon, and around 5 mph tonight on through Friday.  Temperatures this afternoon will rise into the upper 40's to lower 50's which is 10 to 15 degrees below normal for this time of year.  Temperatures on Thursday will range from the upper 20's to lower 30's over the interior and lower to mid 30's along the coast for lows and mid to upper 50's for highs.  Temperatures on Friday will range from the mid to upper 30's for lows and mid to upper 50's for highs.

A series of disturbances will move through the Philadelphia and New York City metropolitan areas Saturday through Tuesday with a constant through for widely scattered to isolated showers.  While a wash out this weekend and early next week is not expected, a few pesky showers can not be ruled out.  Temperatures on Saturday will range from the mid 40's for lows and upper 50's to lower 60's for highs.  Temperatures on Sunday through Tuesday will range from the mid to upper 40's for lows and mid to upper 60's for highs.