When Will Philly Area's Record-Breaking Cold Snap End?

PHILADLEPHIA, PA — Never before in recorded history has it been as cold on Nov. 13 as it was early Wednesday morning, as temperatures plummeted to 23 degrees. The previous record low for the day was a degree warmer, all the way back in 1996.

To put that in perspective, it's 17 degrees colder than the average low for Nov. 13, according to U.S. Climate Data. It's even a few degrees colder than the average low on Jan. 13.

The cold weather has prompted Code Blue cold weather warnings from several local counties and municipalities, and alarmed many in the region that experienced balmy weather in the upper 50s just days ago.

The cold temperatures were triggered by an arctic air mass that blasted into the region Tuesday, causing temperatures to plummet more than 25 degrees from Sunday. The cold air will stick around through Wednesday, with an expected high of just 37, and wind chills dipping below 20 overnight.

More seasonal weather is in store to return by Thursday, which will bring a high of 47 and a low of 35. That will seem to break the cold snap, as low temperatures are not expected to dip below 29 through the middle of the next week.