A coastal storm set to impact the Lehigh Valley region is no longer shaping up to be a blockbuster, but will still make its presence felt by leaving behind several inches of snow.
A winter weather advisory from the National Weather Service is in effect for the entire region from 7 p.m. Monday until 1 p.m. Tuesday. The snow will lead to slippery road conditions, and possibly even a hazardous morning commute, the advisory warns.
Snowfall projections from the weather service’s Mount Holly, N.J., forecast office show 3 to 4 inches of snow across most of the region.
The snow is expected to start Monday night, earlier than initially expected, and continue into Tuesday as a low pressure system passes off the coast. Snow is most likely after 10 p.m., according to the forecast.
The Lehigh Valley, Poconos and Berks County are expected to receive the most snow from the storm, and accumulations of more than 4 inches are even possible in some localized areas, according to the weather service.
Expect “continued light but steady snowfall across the Lehigh Valley and Poconos,” the weather service’s forecast discussion notes. Areas to the southeast will be in the 2-3 inch range due to the potential for dry air mixing in, according to the forecast discussion.
Good morning! Snow is on the way for later today and this should finally bring an end to the Philadelphia snow drought!For a briefing on this system see: https://t.co/JiD09ByGTvFor further forecast details please visit: https://t.co/ka2HFv1KuB pic.twitter.com/awrSTuZPkh
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) January 15, 2024
If the forecast holds, it could mark an end to the snow drought in Philadelphia, which hasn’t had a measurable snowfall in nearly two years. The last snow measured at Philadelphia International Airport was on Jan. 29, 2022, when 7.5 inches fell.
A rapid strengthening of the storm that would have led to higher snowfall totals is no longer expected. The forecast discussion notes that “some question remains about how close the surface low passes,” which could further affect snowfall totals.
The system will pass out to sea by Tuesday night, with any lingering precipitation rapidly moving away, according to the forecast discussion.
While the region will escape a major snow event with this storm, another system expected to move in Thursday night into Friday could deliver.
There is still a lot of uncertainty in the forecast for that storm, but “a decent chance exists for another widespread snowfall, possibly relatively significant,” the forecast discussion notes.
In any event, the presence of cold arctic air that has moved into the region makes it likely that any precipitation will fall as snow. High temperatures all week will struggle to get above freezing. On Wednesday, a high of just 25 is expected.
After the storm Thursday night into Friday, an even colder air mass is expected to move in Saturday, with highs again in the 20s, according to the forecast discussion.
Here is the extended forecast from the National Weather Service:
Monday: A slight chance of snow before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday Night: Snow likely, mainly after 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 26. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Tuesday: Snow, mainly before 1pm. High near 30. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 15. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 24. West wind 5 to 15 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30.
Thursday Night: A chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 22. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday: A chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 29. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Friday Night: A chance of snow before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 23. Blustery.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. Blustery.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 28. Blustery.