Black Friday shopping will be cool but dry across the area, with highs in the mid to upper 40s. A blast of bitterly cold Arctic air will arrive from Canada Friday night, bringing with it the coldest air the region has seen since last winter.

There will be a NEXT weather warning this weekend due to this blast of cold air. Despite sunshine, high temperatures will only reach the mid to upper 30s on Saturday and Sunday, with winds keeping temperatures below freezing throughout the day and night. Speaking of nights, morning low temperatures will drop into the 20s across the region, including the city, with felt temperatures dropping into the teens at times.

Be sure to winterize exterior pipes and make special provisions for pets with a warm place to stay and fresh water that won’t freeze. Even with their warm fur, they are not used to this cold.

The month of December and the start of meteorological winter begins on Sunday and everything indicates that it will continue to feel like winter in the coming week.

Next week will be sunny, but unseasonably cold temperatures will remain with highs in the upper 30s to near 40s and lows in the mid to upper 20s. A fast-moving system appears to be moving through the area Wednesday evening and could bring some brief snow showers to the area. Snow accumulation is unlikely at the moment.

The NEXT weather team will continue to monitor this system and any other systems that will follow as we head into the winter months.

Here you can find the current travel forecast for planning and preparation:

• Friday will be dry, with a few snow showers possible in the Poconos. A blast of arctic air arrives Friday night, and lows Saturday morning will be in the 20s. Traveling should be clear.
• Saturday and Sunday will be the coldest temperatures of the season, with much of the area seeing temperatures in the 30s during the day and falling to 20s at night. Wind temperatures will be in the teens and 20s throughout the weekend. It will also be windy on both days with a mix of sun and clouds. The journey should be clear to everyone going home.

Here is your 7 day forecast:

Friday: Mostly sunny, high 46, low 35.

Saturday: NEXT weather alert, cold, high temperature 38, low temperature 28.

Sunday: NEXT weather alert, cold, high temperature 39, low temperature 26.

Monday: Mostly sunny, high 40, low 25.

Tuesday: Stays cool, high temperature 39, low temperature 27.

Wednesday: Late snow possible, high 40, low 26.

Thursday: Partly sunny, high 45, low 29.

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