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WEATHER BLOG: Stronger Arctic Blast Approaching

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The first cold snap of the season is underway, with temperatures averaging more than five degrees below average and the northwest wind making it feel even colder!

Wind chills through the overnight and early morning hours will dip into the teens across much of the area, and the wind will stay a factor in Saturday's forecast.

Though it stays dry with sunshine, temperatures won't make it out of the 30's and wind chills stay in the 20's all day. Make sure you dress for the wind chill and not the actual temp - an extra layer than what you think you need is a good plan.

Sunday is when we have to start watching a system pushing in from the south. It seems like a no-brainer that any precipitation in this type of cold would fall as snow - but not so fast. Sunday's storm will start with a warm front lifting through the region.

This could produce some light to moderate snow through Sunday afternoon in the Lehigh Valley and Poconos, but this first bath of snow likely stays north of Philadelphia and nearby suburbs as the warm front lifts. Behind that warm front, we start to see a push of warm air from the southwest which will even permeate the upper levels of the atmosphere.

With warmer air aloft and temps above freezing at the surface, this looks to be mainly a rainmaker in the city points southeast especially, and it means even if the precip starts as snow to the north and west, it will quickly change to rain and wash the snow away.

We may see a brief period of mixing in the city but this doesn't look to have a good chance of accumulating, and may not begin until late Sunday night.

The Poconos may end up with a total of 3-5" of snow before the chance for freezing rain and then plain rain. I could see a couple of inches possibly in the Lehigh Valley, but again it doesn't stick around long once the changeover to rain happens.

Still, if you're in the Lehigh Valley, plan to give yourself some extra time for your Monday morning commute, as we could be facing icy spots if the warm air gets in later.

But snow lovers will have plenty of chances to see some of the white stuff! We are kicking off winter quickly, and next week and even stronger arctic blast approaches.

A system will skate through Wednesday with the chance for rain and snow showers, and then the temperature plummets - we're talking highs in the 20's possible on Thursday and Friday of next week. Definitely cold enough for snow, should any system make the connection with the cold air!

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