December 22, 2015

At 11:48pm last night, as Monday turned to Tuesday and 2015 saw its longest night and shortest day, the Autumnal Equinox yielded to the Winter Solstice. Or simply, fall became winter.

At least on the astronomical calendar.

Your senses and a thermometer may tell you different. The city is decorated for the holidays but the Philadelphia region  has had above-average temperatures every day so far in December, according to Gary Szatkowski, meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service’s office in Mt. Holly.

That warmer-than-average trend is expected to continue over the coming weeks thanks to an El Nino climate pattern. However, weather and temperatures associated with winter are coming as are the hazards and dangers associated with freezing weather and snow.

Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management has you covered like a warm blanket with our 16 page Winter Weather Guide. Tips and information which include winterizing you car and home, making emergency kits, keeping yourself or your pet safe in cold temperatures, and the all important snow emergency routes, to name a few.

There is no time like the present to prepare for the unknown and emergencies. Read through our Winter Weather Guide and be ready for whatever winter may hold.

An easy,  yet essential way to be prepared is to stay informed. Get emergency alerts from OEM’s ReadyPhiladelphia program sent to your phone or email to keep you informed prior to and during an emergency. Also, look for PhilaOEM on Twitter and Facebook.