The early onset winter has one more blow to deliver in Delaware County before temperatures moderate, and even get above normal within a week.
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, N.J., which oversees the tristate area and most of eastern Pennsylvania, is on board with 1 to 3 inches of snow for the area overnight Saturday into the daylight hours on Sunday, with spots as high as 4 inches.
“The model consensus puts the axis of the maximum precipitation amounts very close to the I-95 corridor,” forecasters say.
The situation is far from set in stone, they add: “Still some wiggle room with this as some shift in the mid to upper level dynamics will pull or push the precipitation shield north or south some.”
Late Friday afternoon, the office issued a winter weather advisory for Delaware County that runs from Saturday at 7 p.m. to Sunday at 1 p.m.
The discussion indicated a low pressure area over the Upper Great Lakes will push a cold front into southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey on Saturday night, bringing some snow. The amount of snow appears as if it will increase from northwest to southeast, flipping a more typical pattern, the NWS forecasters said.
Graphic showing possible snow accumulation for Saturday into Sunday, Dec. 13 to Dec. 14, 2025. (COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE)
“Arctic air will pour into our area as a west to northwest wind increases on Sunday. This will result in temperatures not going up all that much during the day Sunday,” the discussion shows.
So, it’ll be back into the deep freeze for another couple of days in the region, probably through Tuesday.
After that, models show milder air getting through, with highs in the mid-40s north, such as Allentown, to near 50 degrees south in the Philadelphia area through next weekend.
The National Weather Service forecast for the weekend of Dec. 13 and Dec. 14. (Courtesy of the National Weather Service)
Every day so far this month at Philadelphia International Airport, the temperature has been below normal, except for one that was exactly normal, for an average of 34.9 degrees through Thursday, or 6.1 below normal.
At Reading Regional Airport, all days have been at least 2 degrees below normal for a 31.0-degree average.
In the chilly Allentown area, Lehigh Valley International Airport has seen all days at least 3 degrees below normal for a 28.5-degree average.
The next several days might push the average down to near 34 degrees even at Philly International.
If the conditions from the first half of this month would persist for the entire month, it would still only be good enough for the 38th coldest December in the 154-year temperature database, but coldest since 2010.
It remains to be seen where the month’s temperature will end up.
County Code Blue
Delaware County has issued a Code Blue for excessively cold overnight temperatures through Sunday.
Upper Darby Mayor Ed Brown announces that the township, in partnership with Breaking Bread Community Shelter of Upper Darby, will provide overnight shelter for individuals in need at Watkins Center, 326 Watkins Ave., Upper Darby.
The shelter will operate from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and can accommodate up to 30 individuals each night.
Health officials advise residents to take precautions during periods of extreme cold.
Community members are encouraged to dress in layers, limit time outdoors, seek heated indoor spaces, and check on neighbors, especially seniors and vulnerable individuals, Upper Darby said.
Essential Utilities has these tips for the cold weather:
Tips to prepare
• Stock up on supplies: Keep pipe insulation, heat tape, a portable space heater and a hair dryer on hand.
• Locate and mark master water valve: This will allow you to quickly shut off water to your home if a pipe bursts.
• Inspect outdoor meter pits: Ensure lids are intact to prevent freezing in these areas.
• Winterize outdoor faucets: Shut off and drain outdoor faucets, including those connected to lawn sprinkling systems.
• Eliminate drafts in unheated areas: Insulate crawl spaces and basements, repair broken windows, and seal gaps to protect pipes.
Taking precautions
• Wrap pipes and meters: Use insulation materials or heat tape on your pipes, and wrap indoor meters with a blanket.
• Keep cabinets open: If you have interior plumbing along an exterior wall, leave cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
• Run a small stream of water: If temperatures fall below 10 degrees, leave a thin stream of water running from the faucet farthest from your meter.
If pipes freeze
• Thaw safely: If you locate a frozen section of pipe, open a spigot and use a hair dryer or heat tape to thaw it gradually. Never use an open flame.
• Call a professional: If you cannot thaw the pipe, contact a licensed plumber for assistance.