Is Winter Over In Pennsylvania? 4 Forecasters Weigh In

Rita's may be open, but is spring really here?

After a series of slushy winter storms in late February and early March that delayed schools and caused travel problems, could the finally be turning for good?

Officially, spring isn't until March 20. But as we know, Mother Nature does not adhere to a calendar. Remember last year? (4 March Nor'easters In PA: Which One Was The Worst?)

So here's what four forecasters have to say about whether or not you can put away that snow shovel for the season:

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

The National Weather Service's long-range forecast looks to be relatively calm this week. There is a chance of rain Thursday night into Friday, but with low temperatures in the 50s and highs in the 60s, that system is not expected to produce winter weather.

The NWS out of Mount Holly said Monday the weather patterns at the start of the week would be quiet, leading to "spring-like" weather that should "finally allow us to begin drying out."

While Tuesday's temperatures will be slightly cooler than usually, a warming trend is expected throughout the rest of the week, the NWS said.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service say they are watching a system that could arrive early next week, bringing either rain or rain mixed with snow. "However at this point the evolution, timing, and strength of this system remains very uncertain," the latest forecast discussion from the NWS says.

ACCUWEATHER

Wednesday and Thursday will likely be the nicest days in recent weeks with some sunshine and highs in the 50s for the Philadelphia region, Accuweather says.

"A strong southerly flow of air from the Gulf of Mexico will pump in even milder air across the Northeast later this week, making it feel more like spring," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun said. Highs may be as much as 20 degrees above mid-March normals on the warmest days.

Don't get too excited, through: While the mild conditions give us some hope, forecasters with Accuweather say it's not yet time to declare an end to winter. Some chilly temperatures will make their way back to the region by late weekend.

WEATHER CHANNEL

The Weather Channel is tracking another winter storm but it's not expected to impact the Philadelphia region at this point.

The storm is expected to impact the Plains and upper Midwest late this week before winding down and turning to rain. Like Accuweather, The Weather Channel is predicting a mild end to the week with cold temperatures returning by the late weekend. However, there is no snow (as of now) in the Weather Channel's forecast for March.

EASTERN PA WEATHER AUTHORITY

Meteorologist Bobby Martrich with the Eastern PA Weather Authority is predicting cooler than average temperatures between March 16 and 21 but no major systems in the forecast. A small system Monday could cause isolated rain showers, Martrich says in his most recent long-range update. But even with the below-average temperatures, it won't be cold enough for snow, Martrich says.

While some models are predicting a mid-week storm next week, Martrich does not believe it will be conducive for snow.

Starting on March 22 and 23, expect temperatures to increase to slightly above average, he predicts.