Polar Vortex To Bring Cold Blast, Snow Chance To Philly Area

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The polar vortex — that cap of cold air that normally hovers over the Arctic — is sliding from Canada to the United States, will bring a drastic shift in temperature to the greater Philadelphia area this weekend.

Low temperatures will drop into the mid-20s on both Sunday and Monday nights, while a mix of rain and snow is in the forecast for Tuesday and early Wednesday, the National Weather Service said. That's down from a high of 62 on Friday.

There may also be a storm coming in on Saturday, forecasters said, with thunderstorms and hail possible in the afternoon.

While precipitation is likely to be rain, it could also shift to snow in some parts of the region, according to forecasters.

"A few wet snowflakes mixed in with rain showers are not out of the question in parts of the I-95 corridor as well," Accuweather says.

When the polar vortex is strong, it hovers near the North Pole, Accuweather adds. But, when the weather system weakens, it often sends frigid air pouring south.

"A direct discharge of Arctic air will sweep into the northeastern quarter of the nation starting this weekend," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said, adding that the cold will linger into early next week.

"Widespread, gusty northwest winds may send AccuWeather RealFeel temperatures plummeting as low as zero F across the Appalachians and into the 20s along the I-95 corridor as soon as Sunday morning," Anderson added.

Here's the full forecast:

Friday

Partly sunny, with a high near 62. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Friday night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday

Scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. West wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Sunday night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Breezy.

Monday night

Mostly clear, with a low around 25.