Cold Snap Hits Region Ahead of Annual ‘Rocky’ Run This Weekend

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The region experienced a hard freeze early Friday, with temperatures dropping into the 20s in various locations. According to Sarah Johnson, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service Office in Mount Holly, the unusual cold is expected to give way to milder weather by the weekend.

Readings dipped to 29 degrees in Maryland, while parts of South Jersey reported lows of 27 in Millville and 23 in Toms River. In Philadelphia, the official airport thermometer showed a low of 36 degrees, which is not fully representative due to factors like being near runways and buildings.

Johnson explained that the calm winds contributed to the drop in temperature, allowing warmth to escape into the atmosphere. “This situation isn’t just about the heat island effect,” she said. “Calm winds during high pressure events can lead to colder temperatures.”

Despite the cold start, temperatures are predicted to rise into the 60s by Friday afternoon. A drought advisory has also been issued due to the dry conditions lately. Rain is expected to arrive overnight but should clear by the time the annual ‘Rocky’ Run kicks off on Saturday morning.

Temperatures on Saturday morning are forecasted to be in the mid-50s with light winds. Looking ahead, more significant changes are expected next week, as temperatures are predicted to fall into the 40s by Monday, which coincides with Veterans Day, and again dip below freezing overnight on Tuesday.

While the Philadelphia airport is the primary climate site, meteorologists agree it may not be the most accurate location for temperature measurements. Johnson noted, “Though it affects the climate record, changing the site would disrupt 85 years of data.”