Residents across Philadelphia and the broader tri-state area are buckling down as gusty winds up to 55 mph sweep through the region, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Wind Advisory effective until 8 p.m. this evening. NWS Mount Holly is cautioning that "gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects," and warn that tree limbs or some weaker trees could be toppled, potentially leading to power outages.
The advisory covers a swathe of territory including Delaware, northeast Maryland, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania. Folks are advised to use extra caution when driving, especially those operating high-profile vehicles. In a statement, the NWS noted that "saturated ground may make it easier for some trees to fall, especially weaker or shallow rooted trees."
On top of the blustery conditions, temperatures in Philadelphia are set to swing from today's high near 52 to a low around 38 overnight. The good news is that skies will clear by mid-morning, offering a brief respite before winds pick up pace. Moving into the week, the NWS forecasts a reprieve from the hazardous conditions with sunny skies and a high near 63 on Tuesday, climbing to 71 by Thursday.
In a hazardous weather outlook for Philadelphia County, the NWS alerts residents to stay vigilant through tonight due to the windy situations which "may cause isolated instances of tree damage and power outages." They encourage weather spotters to report any significant conditions according to standard operating procedures. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is reported as low for the days following, through Sunday.
