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Dangerously cold temps continue to grip Philadelphia region. Get resources

Temperatures felt below zero in the Philadelphia area on Tuesday and Wednesday

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What to Know

  • The coldest temperatures of winter are gripping the Philadelphia region from Jan. 20 to 23.
  • A First Alert for dangerous cold for the entire Philadelphia region is in effect through 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025.
  • People should bundle up and limit time outside during the cold snap.

Frigid conditions have gripped the Philadelphia region leading to some of the coldest temperatures the area has experienced in years. It's so cold that a bottle of water will freeze in not too much time.

A First Alert is in effect for dangerous cold in in effect through Thursday morning. Cold, gusty winds will have it feeling below zero through the entire Philadelphia region from the Lehigh Valley to the Jersey Shore.

The drop in temperatures began Sunday night with highs in the low 20s leading to icy overnight road conditions following the snowstorm during the day.

Officials are asking everyone to check on their neighbors as temperatures plummet to dangerous levels. NBC10's Deanna Durante reports. 

The bitter cold continued in the Philadelphia area Monday and will last through Thursday. Monday’s high was only in the mid-20s and wind chills remained near zero to only 5 above throughout the day.

The cold only got worse on Tuesday with wind chills of -15 degrees possible in the morning. Exposed skin under those temperatures can freeze in 20 minutes. There wasn't much of a warmup during the day on Tuesday with highs in the upper teens as well as the chance for snow flurries later in the day.

Parents, caregivers and teachers are getting creative when it comes to entertaining young children in frigid cold temperatures. Some preschoolers in Montgomery County show how they are staying safe and educated while waiting out the dangerous temperatures. NBC10's Deanna Durante has the story.  

Wednesday morning was even colder in some places as temps dropped below zero in in the Pennsylvania suburbs. Wednesday's highs only pushed into the upper teens or low 20s during the day.

On Thursday, temperatures will be in the single digits in the Philadelphia area in the morning before rising to the upper 20s in the afternoon.

Friday we’ll finally see some relief from the dangerously cold conditions with highs in the low 30s. The “warmup” continues into the weekend with a high of 35 on Saturday and a high of 40 degrees on Sunday.

Tips on dealing with the cold

The dangerously cold temperatures bring high chances for costly issues. Dead car batteries and frozen pipes are some examples of what people across the region are dealing with during the cold stretch. NBC10's Siobhan McGirl has the story on how to prevent these problems all winter long.

The Philadelphia Water Department shared the following tips for dealing with the cold weather:

  • Let faucets run at a trickle overnight
  • Wrap and insulate all water pipes in unheated areas
  • Identify the location of the shutoff valve
  • Keep the water meter area above 40F
  • Repair or replace broken exterior windows
  • Disconnect garden hoses and shut off the outdoor water supply

Officials released a list of warming centers in Philadelphia to provide relief to the city's homeless during the bitter cold.

Ways to help someone experiencing homelessness

These extremely cold temperatures can be dangerous. NBC10's Frances Wang has more information on how you can help someone experiencing homelessness. 

Last year, Philadelphia's Office of Homeless Services reported a 38% increase in people living without shelter. That statistic is concerning because it's 20% more than the nationwide number.

"Obviously, it's wicked cold out. This is the worst time for the homeless," Philly's Office of Homeless Services executive director Cheryl Hill said.

Meanwhile, Project Home provides all sorts of services with a focus on housing for right now.

"Since the first snowstorm a couple of weeks ago, we've been operating as a 24-hour emergency warming center," Candice Player, vice president of outreach at Project Home, said.

If you're worries about someone you see sleeping out on the streets, you can call the city's Homeless Outreach Hotline at 215-232-1984. It's available 24/7 and someone from the team will come and see what the person might need.

If you're looking for more ways to help, Project Home said they really need shoes, socks and clothing for men. The organization said that most of the people who come to them for their services are males, but many of the people who donate are female and donate women's clothing.

There is always a need for warm coats and shoes, especially sneakers and boots.

Tips for keeping pets safe in cold conditions

ACCT Philadelphia shared these cold weather-tips for pet owners:

  • Make sure pets have shelter. Keep all indoor cats inside, even if they like to roam outside during warmer weather. 
  • You can let your dogs go out for a quick potty break and some exercise, but they should be kept inside for the rest of the time. Dogs like huskies and northern breeds with heavier coats can go out for longer periods but should be supervised 
  • If your dog is outdoors for a long period of time during the day for any reason, they must have adequate shelter. That shelter must be protected by a dry, draft-free shelter that is large enough to allow them to move but small enough to hold body heat. 
  • If your dog has a short coat, they may be more comfortable with a sweater– even if you are going out for a short walk. If you are bundled, think if they need to be! 
  • Remember to always wipe down your dog's feet after going out for a walk. With rock salt and other chemicals on the ground to clear the pathway, it can irritate the pads of your pets feet. Try to do so quickly so your pet doesn’t lick their paws! A warm washcloth works well if you can’t do more!
  • If you use antifreeze, remember to put it in an area your pet or other animals can not get too. It is a deadly poison to animals!
  • Speak up if you encounter a pet left in the cold without adequate shelter. If you are comfortable, inform the owner as they may not know the risk that cold weather has on their pets. 

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