In a freezing turn of events, temperatures in the Philadelphia region have dropped below freezing, accompanied by bone-chilling wind chills in the teens. Meteorologists predict that this week will be the coldest the city has experienced since last winter. Adding to the wintry conditions, a snowstorm is expected to hit the area, causing potentially hazardous road conditions for Tuesday morning commuters.

An arctic blast is making its way across the country, set to sweep into the Philadelphia region throughout Monday. The day will mainly be characterized by cloud cover and frigid temperatures. Snowfall is projected to begin in the afternoon, starting from the southwest in Delaware and South Jersey before spreading towards the city during the evening hours.

As the snowfall intensifies Monday night, an AccuWeather Alert has been issued, warning residents of treacherous road conditions. The snow is anticipated to stick to roads, while closer to the coast, rain may mix with the snow. Commuters should exercise caution during Tuesday morning's commute, as some snow is expected to still be present on roadways.

In terms of snow accumulation, the coastline is anticipated to receive a thin coating up to 1 inch. Further south in South Jersey, snow totals may range from 1 to 2 inches. However, the most significant snowfall is expected across I-95 and the northwest suburbs, where accumulations of 2 to 3 inches are possible. If this forecast holds true, it would mark a break in Philadelphia's nearly 2-year snow drought, according to Meteorologist Karen Rogers.

The approaching snowstorm comes after a prolonged absence of measurable snowfall in the Philadelphia area. The last time the city had over 1 inch of snow was on January 29, 2022. In November, Philadelphia made history with its longest recorded measurable snowfall drought. Since then, the snowless streak has continued to grow.

The snowfall is anticipated to taper off by mid-afternoon on Tuesday, offering some relief to residents. However, the wintry weather doesn't end there. Another chance of snow is on the horizon, with potential snowfall expected later in the week on Friday.

As Philadelphia hunkers down for the coldest week of the year and eagerly awaits the arrival of snow, residents are advised to stay updated on the latest weather forecasts and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this wintry spell.