BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The National Weather Service forecast office in Philadelphia/Mt. Holly — whose coverage area includes the Lehigh Valley — has issued its third extreme cold warning of the year.
That warning, combined with a wind advisory also in effect, could mean wind chills as low as 20 degrees below zero for the region this weekend.
The extreme cold warning is in effect from 6 a.m. Saturday to noon Sunday, while the wind advisory runs from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
The major concerns connected to the latest Arctic blast include the possibility of power outages during extremely cold conditions, along with frozen pipes and water meters.
Snow, then plummeting temperatures
The quick descent into bitter cold will come as a fast-moving system brings light snow to the area Friday night.
While most places will see a coating to about an inch of snow, a few isolated spots could pick up as much as 2 inches, mainly in the higher elevations, according to the weather service.
An Arctic front will move in after, forecasters say, setting the stage for a dangerously cold and windy weekend.
Temperatures are expected to drop sharply by Saturday morning into the single digits and teens, with gusty northwest winds increasing throughout the day.
Winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected across much of the region, with gusts up to 50 mph.
With temperatures falling into the single digits for most locations, wind chills could drop to -10 to -20 in the Lehigh Valley.
Although temperatures are expected to recover slightly Sunday afternoon, they will remain in the single digits, according to the weather service.
Residents are urged to limit time outdoors, dress in layers, and take precautions to protect people, pets and pipes from the extreme cold and wind.
LCA: 18 water main breaks so far
“We are sitting at 18 water main breaks this cold season so far,” Taylor Stakes, Lehigh County Authority’s director of communications, said Friday morning.
He said LCA is anticipating another busy weekend.
“We are encouraging all customers to wrap their meters if they’re on the outside of the house.
"To insulate them, they can use anything they have available including jackets, blankets, insulation, newspaper or anything that will keep the meter out of the cold, especially because of the wind.
“If your meter breaks it can flood your house and it can be awhile for us to get out there.”
Stakes said anyone experiencing an emergency within the city of Allentown should call 610-437-7515, while non-city residents should call 610-398-1444.
“We will respond no matter what if the customer calls to report an emergency situation,” Stakes said, explaining there will be a $150 charge if the water main break is on the customer’s side.
“Some of our guys have been out there 18-plus hours in the cold making sure people have water,” Stakes said. “They will definitely respond if you suspect an emergency situation.”
