Timing, Accumulation For Next Winter Storm Hitting Philly Area

PENNSYLVANIA — If you're driving to work Thursday morning, you may want to factor in snow into your commute. While forecasters only expect up to 2 inches of accumulation, there is the possibility of a change in the storm's course. And regardless, snow and rain could bring icy roads that affect morning traffic.

Pennsylvania will primarily see rain along a cold front Wednesday night, but the shift to snow could occur around sunrise Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Accumulation is expected to mostly range from 1 to 2 inches of snow — and potentially less — but the timing could interfere with the morning drive.

Most snow accumulation will occur from 7 a.m. to noon Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

As with all storms, there remains some uncertainty. There is a scenario where the region gets more snow, but as of right now forecasters are expecting just a few inches at most.

"If that stronger storm scenario is correct ... cities such as Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston could be hammered with snow," AccuWeather said.

See below for snowfall forecasts:

Thursday night and Friday hold a clearer forecast, before a chance of snow Friday night into Saturday. The National Weather Service has not yet predicted snowfall totals for the anticipated weekend storm.

Here's the full forecast for the week:

Wednesday

Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday night

Rain, mainly after 2 a.m. Low around 33. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch are possible.

Thursday

Rain and snow before 11 a.m., then a chance of snow between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Temperature falling to around 29 by 5 p.m. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.

Thursday night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 15. North wind 10 to 15 mph.

Friday

Partly sunny, with a high near 25. North wind around 10 mph.

Friday night

A chance of snow, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Saturday

A chance of snow before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 29. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19.

Sunday
Partly sunny, with a high near 35.

Sunday night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 20.

With reporting from Patch correspondent Josh Bakan