‘Harsh Arctic Outbreak’ Likely This Weekend

The National Weather Service says a “harsh arctic outbreak” could bring some of the coldest temperatures of the season to Pennsylvania this weekend.

In a hazardous weather outlook statement posted Thursday morning, the NWS said an arctic front is expected to advance across the area Saturday, plunging wind chill values to 10 to 25 degrees below zero on Sunday and Monday mornings.

The arctic front will be accompanied by northwest wind gusts and potentially some accumulating snow on Saturday and Saturday night, the weather service said.

According to the current NWS forecast for Hellertown, Saturday night’s low temperature will be around 5 degrees, Sunday’s high temperature will be just 11 degrees, and Sunday night’s low will be -2 degrees.

In the hazardous weather outlook, the weather service warns residents to “make sure preparations are made to have sufficient fuel to heat homes and businesses and to protect pipes from freezing.”

It adds: “There could also be power outages from the strong winds.”