Snowfall Estimates Increase For Saturday Night Storm

A winter storm watch has been called across the Philadelphia region for Saturday night, and as much as six inches of snow is now predicted, the National Weather Service said. The winter storm watch starts at 7 p.m. and is place through early Sunday morning.

The winter storm watch has been called in Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties. A hazardous weather outlook is in place in Delaware and Philadelphia counties.

"Heavy" snow is possible in the areas under winter storm watch, and forecasters have increased their accumulation predictions. Between four and six inches is predicted in the suburbs north of Philadelphia. The city and areas south are expected to get three to four inches.

The bulk of the snow will fall between 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 a.m. Sunday, according to the NWS. At times, snowfall rates could reach an inch per hour.

If you have plans Saturday night, expect difficult travel conditions. Roads could deteriorate rapidly, the NWS warns.

"Significant reductions in visibility are possible. There is the potential for a short period of heavy snow Saturday night which could lead to a rapid deterioration in road conditions. The snow could be wet enough especially closer to Interstate 95, potentially resulting in some power outages," the winter storm watch said.

The NWS will release another briefing by 4 p.m. Friday. Further details on storm impacts are expected then. Check back for updates.

Here is the forecast:

Today: Showers, mainly before 5pm. Patchy fog before 11am. High near 57. Northwest wind 5 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. North wind 6 to 13 mph.

Saturday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 40. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Snow, mainly before 4am. Low around 30. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 47. West wind 6 to 8 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Washington's Birthday: A chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday Night: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

PHOTO: NWS