The weather outside is frightful. Consider tying down the Santa inflatables.
Some counties have declared a Code Blue and Philadelphia School District students’ are getting a virtual day Friday before they head to winter break.
The weather outside is frightful in the Philadelphia area. Between the sleet Thursday and wind gusts expected in the evening and Friday, the Santa inflatables were in for a rough 24 hours.
Philly started getting rain Thursday morning, while freezing rain and glimpses of snow were reported in Chester, Montgomery, and Berks Counties.
Joe DeSilva, National Weather Service meteorologist based in Mount Holly, said those suburban counties, as well as Bucks County and the Poconos, had winter weather advisories due to freezing rain and sleet.
The advisories in suburban counties expired early Thursday afternoon as higher temperatures turned sleet into rain. But the Philly area has a flood watch that is to remain in place until Friday morning. The region could get up to two inches of rain.
East and south winds were expected to start picking up at sundown Thursday, said DeSilva. Folks in the Philly region can expect sustained winds at 15 to 20 miles per hour and gusts between 40 and 50 miles per hour Friday.
“We are expecting a weak squall line to come through [Friday] afternoon where gusts can be isolated higher up to 60 [miles per hour],” said DeSilva. “So any loose articles outside may be blown around a bit, if not tied down.”
Though winds will peak Friday, they will continue into Saturday and ease up by Sunday when it will mainly be cold.
Philly’s Jersey Shore neighbors can expect minor flooding. A coastal flooding advisory is in effect through Friday morning’s high tide — just in time for the flash freeze expected to sweep through the region.
DeSilva said the cold front will bring Friday’s highs in the upper 40s and low 50s to well below freezing.
The inclement weather prompted the Philadelphia School District to call for a virtual day Friday, closing all its schools and administrative buildings. Students have to log on at their usual school start time.
The weekend forecast hasn’t changed much in recent days. Saturday highs are expected to be in the low 20s, with Sunday only slightly warmer as highs inch toward the mid-20s.
Because of the threat the dangerously low temperatures bring to the homeless population, Montgomery and Camden Counties have issued Code Blue declarations. Residents are advised to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as well as on elderly neighbors. Pets should spend limited time outdoors.
People in need of shelter can call 211 in Montco, which is also the Code Blue emergency hotline number in Camden.
In Camden County, the Code Blue begins 7 p.m. Friday and runs through 7 a.m. Tuesday. The code resumes Tuesday evening and ends the next morning.
In Montgomery County the code begins Friday at 11 a.m. and ends Tuesday at 10 a.m.