Philadelphia woke up in a gray mood Saturday, with light drizzle, thick fog and temperatures hovering near 39°F. In low-lying neighborhoods, visibility has dropped enough to slow early commutes and threaten delays at Philadelphia International Airport. The fog should gradually lift after mid-morning, but a stubborn blanket of clouds is expected to hang around through the day.
Fog and the Morning Commute
The National Weather Service has issued Dense Fog Advisories across parts of the region and a Marine Dense Fog Advisory for nearby coastal waters through 10 AM Saturday, March 7, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters are reporting IFR to LIFR conditions at local airports this morning, which means low ceilings and poor visibility are likely to affect flights. Mariners are urged to skip nonessential trips, and drivers should stick to low beams, ease off the gas and give themselves more room on the road.
Tonight and the Weekend
A warm front is expected to slide through late today, followed by a cold front overnight, bringing likely rain showers after 7 PM Saturday and into early Sunday. The showers should be on the lighter side, with new rainfall amounts generally under a tenth of an inch, but Sunday turns breezy with gusts up to 25 mph and a high near 65. Temperatures then climb into the low-to-mid 70s by Tuesday, giving the city a quick taste of spring. A Small Craft Advisory kicks in tonight for Atlantic coastal waters as seas build to 5–7 feet and winds gust near 25 knots (about 29 mph). Small boats are better off staying tied up. For detailed timing and updates, check the latest from NWS Mount Holly.
What To Know
Plan on leaving early this morning, use low beams in the fog, and be prepared for localized delays on SEPTA and at area airports. Boaters should avoid heading out during the Dense Fog and Small Craft advisories; if you absolutely must go, file a float plan and make sure your lights and radar are up and running. For more background on this stretch of fog and the upcoming warm-up, see Philly socked in by fog.
