Chance for snow in Pennsylvania, multi-day NEXT Weather Alert in effect as temps plummet in Philadelphia
A strengthening storm is approaching the Philadelphia region from the west, which will kick off a huge change in our weather pattern. The impacts from this system are expected to last over 48 hours, and a two-phase NEXT Weather Alert is in effect.
After a month of dry weather and several days of record warmth, we're talking rain and even the chance to see some snow.
NEXT Weather Alert
ROUND ONE: 9 p.m. Wednesday through 4 a.m. Thursday. The biggest impacts are brief but very heavy downpours and gusty winds as high as 30 or 40 mph. Lightning strikes are possible, too.
ROUND TWO: Late Thursday night through Friday. It'll feel like winter with bitter wind chills and snow showers, likely even near the city. Accumulating snow in the Poconos, tracking 4 to 8 inches in the upper elevations with some snow into the Lehigh Valley, Berks County, Upper Bucks County and Montgomery County.
A winter storm watch is in effect for some areas northwest of Allentown from 4 p.m. Thursday until 4 p.m. Friday; 3 to 6 inches of snow is possible and some areas could get as much as 8 inches.
Impact breakdown
Rain: Heaviest between 10 p.m. tonight and 4 a.m. tomorrow. Widespread rain could drop between 0.5-1 inch, with the highest amounts northwest of the city. Thunder is possible, especially in southern zones. The rain will be largely beneficial, but look out for possible ponding during the a.m. commute in the Lehigh Valley. More rain showers are likely on Friday.
Wind: Gusts overnight to 40 mph in spots. Winds may gust over 20-25 mph through Saturday.
Cold: Sharp drop in mercury overnight into Friday. Wind chills on Friday will be no better than freezing most of the day, with highs barely cracking the 40-degree mark — more than 20 degrees colder than today.
Snow: The best chances for snow begin late Thursday night and continue through late Friday. Accumulation will be highly elevation-dependent with as much as 4 to 8 inches of heavy wet snow in the highest spots across the Poconos. Falling snow or mix may lead to reduced visibility midday Friday near Philadelphia and the northwest suburbs, but with surface temperatures well above freezing, accumulation is not expected.
Light accumulation is possible on elevated surfaces across the Lehigh Valley. We will be monitoring the Friday snow potential closely and will have more detailed information after the first round of precipitation Wednesday night. There is a chance that most of the area just sees cold rain showers.
By Saturday, precipitation chances dwindle, though we can't rule out a shower. It's still quite windy with gusts up to 30 mph, which could cause flight delays on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year ahead of Thanksgiving. Calmer, more seasonable weather begins Sunday.
Looking well ahead, it appears that another push of cold will arrive just in time for Thanksgiving.
Your NEXT Weather team will be monitoring the next few days very closely and we will provide updates with all new information to keep you prepared and protected.
Here's your 7-day forecast:
Thursday: Breezy, cooler. High of 50, low of 44.
Friday: Windy, cold, snow? High of 41, low of 37.
Saturday: Breezy, clouds. High of 54, low of 37.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High of 55, low of 43.
Monday: Mostly sunny. High of 57, low of 36.
Tuesday: Clouding up. High of 63, low of 47.
Wednesday: Sun and clouds. High of 48, low of 36.
