Snow, Winter Weather In Eastern PA Thursday: How Long Will It Last?

EASTERN PA — Light snowfall and rain could hit parts of eastern Pennsylvania on Thursday, forecasters said, making for slippery roads as meteorological winter gets underway.

The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement Thursday morning, warning that the snowfall, which is likely to hit in the morning, was most likely to impact areas northwest of I-95.

"With cold air temperatures, many road surfaces are presently below freezing," the statement reads. "Any untreated surfaces may quickly become slippery with just a light coating of snow when combined with rush hour traffic. Morning commuters should use extra caution if they encounter snow, especially if it starts to accumulate on road surfaces."

Accumulation is possible given the temperatures, officials added. A high of 42 is expected in the greater Philadelphia area, but temperatures lingered just at freezing during the mid-morning hours Thursday.

Any snow is expected to end by the early afternoon as those higher temperatures are reached.

The heavy wind and rainstorm predicted for this weekend is still on track. Here's the full forecast for the next several days, according to the NWS:

Thursday

Rain and snow likely before 1pm, then a slight chance of rain between 1pm and 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.

Saturday night

A chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday

Showers. High near 62. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Sunday night

Showers. Low around 40. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.