CHESTER COUNTY, PA — An Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect until noon Sunday as Chester County endures one of the harshest cold snaps of the winter, with life-threatening wind chills plunging as low as 16 below zero. A Cold Weather Advisory follows immediately after, extending through 10 a.m. Monday, keeping a dangerous cold firmly in place to start the week.
Sunday is brutally cold despite full sunshine. Actual temperatures climb only to around 15, while northwest winds gusting up to 30 mph drive wind chills down to near minus 15. Exposure for even short periods can result in frostbite or hypothermia without proper protection. Residents are urged to limit time outdoors, dress in multiple layers, and ensure pets and vulnerable neighbors are protected. Anyone without reliable heat or shelter can call 211 for assistance.
Conditions remain severe Sunday night as skies stay mostly clear and temperatures fall to around 4. Wind chills dip back below zero, maintaining dangerous conditions through the overnight hours.
Monday brings improvement, but not comfort. Sunshine returns and highs reach the upper 20s, though morning wind chills still hover near minus 8. Winds ease through the day, and Monday night turns calmer, with lows near 12 under mostly cloudy skies.
A gradual warming trend begins Tuesday. Cloud cover increases, but temperatures climb into the mid-30s, signaling the end of the extreme cold. Tuesday night stays milder, with lows near 27.
Midweek weather is quieter and more seasonable. Wednesday and Thursday feature a mix of sun and clouds, with highs ranging from the low to upper 30s and overnight lows in the teens and lower 20s. No precipitation is expected, offering stable conditions for travel and daily routines.
Friday and Saturday continue the slow recovery. Daytime highs settle into the low to mid-30s, with chilly but manageable nights. Sunshine dominates by Saturday, pushing highs toward 35.
While the worst of this Arctic outbreak fades after Sunday, lingering cold will still pose risks early in the week. For real-time wind chill readings, cold weather alerts, and hour-by-hour forecasts, visit the MyChesCo Weather Center and stay informed as Chester County transitions out of this dangerous cold spell.
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