Major Winter Storm Possible This Week In Eastern PA

PENNSYLVANIA — A significant winter storm event is forecasted in eastern Pennsylvania this week, though officials warn that it remains unclear exactly what type of precipitation the latest front will bring with it.

The storm is slated to hit the greater Philadelphia area at around 1 p.m. on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Some mix of rain and snow will continue through the early part of Sunday, though it's too early to tell what that mix will look like.

"A highly uncertain forecast remains for the I-95 corridor and points south and east," the National Weather Service said. "Some wintry mix will be possible, but many will see heavy rain."

What forecasters are saying with more certainty is that whatever falls, there will be a lot of it.

The best chance for snow is currently in the Lehigh Valley. But depending on the wind and its strength, that significant snow accumulations are possible in the Philadelphia area.

"Many storms that approach from the south in this manner tend to pull warm air in from the Atlantic Ocean, often leading to an abbreviated period of snow or wintry mix," Accuweather said. "Water temperatures in the nearby Atlantic are generally in the 40s F, so an east-to-northeast wind from the water will bring that milder ocean air inland. A more northerly wind during the storm could prevent the warming effect of the Atlantic."

Accuweather goes on to forecast 6 to 12 inches of snow are likely where preciipation is chiefly snow. However, "where rain takes over quickly, little to no accumulation of snow is likely," Accuweather added. "A wintry mix or ice could limit snowfall accumulation to a few inches or less.

Even if there is only rain, the storm is still going to be significant, with flooding impacts expected. Travel is expected to be impacted over the weekend on major highways and interstates across the northeast.

Should anywhere near that snow total fall in the region, it would mark the first accumulating snowfall of that magnitude in two winters.

Here's the latest forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 42. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday night: A slight chance of rain showers after 1am, mixing with snow after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Thursday: A slight chance of snow showers before 10am, then a slight chance of rain showers between 10am and 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 37.

Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Saturday: Rain and snow likely after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday night: Rain and snow. Low around 32. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Sunday: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Sunday night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.