Key Takeaways
- A shot of arctic air is expected to arrive on Sunday, bringing cold temperatures and wintry conditions
- Accumulating snow is expected to fall overnight, with totals ranging from 1-6 inches across the region
- Winter Weather Advisories and Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for various areas, including the Lehigh Valley, Berks County, and the Delaware Valley
- The snowfall is expected to be light and powdery, making it easier to clean up, but blowing snow and cold wind chills are expected on Sunday
- Travel conditions are expected to be slick and slippery overnight into early Sunday morning, especially along the I-95 corridor
Introduction to the Winter Weather
Get ready for a wintry second half of the weekend! There’s yet another shot of arctic air on the way come Sunday. And a shot of accumulating snow tonight will precede our next cold blast, with several inches of a light and fluffy snow expected to fall overnight. The region is bracing for a winter weather event that will bring significant snowfall and cold temperatures, making travel conditions hazardous.
Snowfall Expectations
Snowfall expectations ticked up slightly Saturday morning, and that trend has continued into the afternoon, with more widespread totals of 3-4 inches now expected across a lot of the Lehigh Valley, Berks County, and the I-78 corridor. For Schuylkill County, the Poconos, and northwestern New Jersey, we expect a widespread 1-3 inches. The National Weather Service has all of these areas under Winter Weather Advisories through Sunday morning. The snowfall totals are expected to be significant, with some areas potentially seeing up to 6 inches of snow. The highest totals are most likely to be found along the I-95 corridor, where a Winter Storm Warning is in effect.
Regional Snowfall Totals
And speaking of those further south, it’s the Delaware Valley as well as most of central and southern New Jersey where we anticipate 3 to 5 inches of snow to fall. The Winter Storm Warning in effect for the I-95 corridor of the Delaware Valley and southwestern New Jersey is a indication of the significant snowfall expected in these areas. The Winter Weather Advisories and Winter Storm Warnings are in effect to alert residents of the potential for hazardous travel conditions and significant snowfall. The snowfall totals are expected to vary across the region, with some areas seeing more snow than others.
Timing and Travel Conditions
The remainder of the daytime Saturday will remain dry, and Sunday is mostly dry as well once any early morning snow shuts off. So this is primarily a nighttime snowfall, with the worst travel conditions and accumulating snow occurring overnight. Snow will develop between 8pm and midnight from west to east across the area, and end from 4am to 8am Sunday morning, likewise from west to east. The timing of the snowfall is crucial, as it will impact travel conditions and daily activities. The overnight snowfall will make travel conditions hazardous, especially during the early morning hours.
Snow Characteristics and Wind
For most of our area, this is an all-snow event, with no rain or mixing issues for a change (could be a brief period of some rain and sleet for those south and east of I-95 at the onset). With the cold air in place, it’s also a light and powdery snow, the kind that is easier to clean up. As winds pick up on Sunday behind the system and more cold air blows in, some blowing snow is expected during the day on Sunday. And those winds will create cold wind chills, likely in the teens and even single digits as the arctic air arrives. The snow characteristics and wind will make the winter weather event more challenging, with blowing snow and cold wind chills making outdoor activities more difficult.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the region is bracing for a significant winter weather event that will bring accumulating snow and cold temperatures. The snowfall totals are expected to vary across the region, with some areas seeing more snow than others. The timing of the snowfall and travel conditions will be crucial, with the worst conditions expected overnight. The light and powdery snow will make cleanup easier, but the blowing snow and cold wind chills will make outdoor activities more challenging. Residents are advised to stay tuned to weather updates and take necessary precautions to stay safe during the winter weather event.