Winter Weather Could Hit PA Early This Year: Forecasters

PENNSYLVANIA — With the official start of the 2021-22 winter a little more than two months away, forecasters are taking a look at when the colder weather and exciting wintry fun could arrive in Pennsylvania.

Specific, long-term weather predictions can help with planning outdoor activities best suited for the cooler temps. To help plan ahead, the AccuWeather released its 2021 winter weather forecast.

Winter could pound the Northeast with a vengeance starting in mid-December before potentially intensifying in January, which could include a heightened risk for nor'easters and, yes, snowstorms at the tail end of the season.

Cities on the East Coast, as well as "the rest of the I-95 corridor," have a chance of seeing some snowy weather a little earlier than they normally would. Southeastern Pennsylvania is right on the borderline, as inland areas are not predicted to see greater accumulation before the end of the year.

For the entirety of the winter, Philadelphia is forecasted to get 20 to 26 inches, against an average of 22.6. In Pittsburgh, the forecast is 45 to 50, compared to an average of 41.8.

Most of the state, aside from a thin band along the north-central and northwestern border, has a likelihood of snow totals within "75 to 124 percent" of normal accumulation, AccuWeather says.

The greater Philadelphia area is predicted to have about seven days of precipitation in November, and five in December. In December, the precipitation is concentrated at the end of the month, and much of it could be rain.

Daily forecasts for Pennsylvania are listed through the end of December. After that, AccuWeather lists the historical average temperature for the rest of the winter.

Interestingly, one of the days with freezing rain and a stronger potential for snow in the forecast is Christmas Eve into early Christmas Day. Temperatures could also plummet to 20 degrees on the evening of Dec. 30, just as a wet weather front is moving through.

Low temperatures will dip into the low 30s in early December, and reach the low 20s by the middle of the month. High temperatures will consistently be in the mid to upper 40s, with a few days hovering no higher than 40.

Nationally, AccuWeather predicts an eventful winter similar to the 2020-21 season, which brought record-breaking snowfall and blackouts to some parts of the country.

Meteorologists also expect the return of La Niña, a weather phenomenon that occurs when the water near the equator of the Pacific Ocean is cooler than average. It will shape part of the overall weather patterns this winter, weather experts said.

The upcoming La Niña will be weaker than the one experienced last winter, in turn, opening up the door for other elements to factor into the winter forecast — especially during the second half of the season.

This year, the polar vortex may also be weaker, according to AccuWeather.

This could result in colder air from the Arctic to slide southward into the U.S. before the official start of meteorological winter, which is on Dec. 1. The first official astronomical day of winter arrives on Tuesday, Dec. 21.

Meanwhile, the winter weather will take its time arriving in the Southeast, with only mild temps in some place throughout December. Southerners, however, could be in store for a big dip in the temperature with the arrival of 2022, AccuWeather reports. Spells of rain and thunderstorms are expected so keep the rain gear handy.

In the Pacific Northwest, a wet winter is anticipated with plenty of snow in the mountains, AccuWeather reports. The early arrival of the winter storms will also spell an end to the active wildfire season for the region as rain and snow help to douse any flames.

In the Southwest, meteorologists predict that the lack of early-season precipitation will allow the ongoing wildfire season to extend all the way into December, an unusually late end to the season. As we move to January, the prospects for rain will increase for California - good news for areas of the state where wildfires have raged.

To see how the weather is shaping up for the remainder of the country, click here.

Are you ready for the upcoming winter season? Tell us your plans in the comments section below.