PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — It’s going to be a bumpy ride for anyone traveling before the Christmas holiday. or A powerful winter storm is expected to drive through the Philadelphia area on Thursday and Friday.
Our region is under a future weather alert Thursday through Saturday.
The rain started Thursday morning and will be heavier in the afternoon. Areas in central and north-central Pennsylvania will see some snow to begin with. But the rain will wash away any accumulation as very warm air begins to arrive.
At one point, there was a chance the Philadelphia region could see a white Christmas, but those higher hopes have faded in favor of a warmer system that would bring heavy rain and strong winds before a brutal blast in Arctic.
Here is the projected lineup for the next three days.
Thursday: Rain and wind
Friday: Arctic Front and Drastic Decline
Saturday: Bitter blast
While it likely won’t be a snowy Christmas, it will certainly feel like winter, with highs on Saturday and Sunday only in the 20s.
The last time Christmas Day was in the 20s was in 2000.
This will be the coldest Christmas in over 20 years.
Follow our live blog for continuous updates as the winter storm develops.
