Winter weather advisories are set to blanket the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with Philadelphia poised to experience its most significant snowfall of the season from late Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. Forecasters predict 3 to 4 inches of snow, which could undoubtedly disrupt the late-day commute on Tuesday and cause issues for morning travel on Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Zack Cooper, snow can be expected to start as early as Tuesday afternoon, with conditions worsening as the evening progresses. Many residents are excitedly watching to see if this storm may allow Philadelphia to catch up to New Orleans' snowfall totals, following the latter's record-breaking 8 inches last month.
Currently, the seasonal snow total for Philadelphia stands at just 4.9 inches, but this week’s impending storm is certainly set to increase those numbers. The NWS has issued overall winter weather advisories for Philadelphia, with winter storm warnings for most of Delaware and parts of South Jersey. AccuWeather Inc. meteorologist Dave Dombek commented on the unusual variance this season. “Wide left, wide right, you’re kind of left in between,” he said, referring to the inconsistent snowfall patterns affecting the area.
How did we get here? This winter has seen historic snowfalls across the southern regions, with many New England areas contributing significantly to their past totals this month. Despite the fluctuations elsewhere, Philadelphia has remained relatively snow-free, recording merely ‘a trace’ from three winter weather events this month. Nonetheless, meteorologists insist sufficient snow is expected to justify reaching for the ruler on Wednesday morning.
The weather system could kick off before sunset on Tuesday, with the best accumulation anticipated overnight and early Wednesday morning. According to Mike Lee, another meteorologist with the NWS, there’s “a 99% likelihood” of noticeable snowfall by then. He predicts it may very well become the heaviest of the season, surmounting the previous record of 2.0 inches from January 19.
But the celebration may be short-lived as warmer air is expected to roll through following the snowfall, potentially transitioning the snow to rain overnight Wednesday and continuing through Thursday morning. “It’s going to get smushed,” Lee noted, adding caution as temperatures could rise well beyond the 40s.
But the impact of the storm isn't just limited to Philadelphia. Additional winter weather alerts indicate snow, sleet, and freezing rain are forecasted for several surrounding counties. A Winter Weather Advisory encompasses regions across southwest Virginia, southeast Kentucky, northeast Tennessee, and western North Carolina. These advisories are accompanied by flood watches, showcasing the extensive nature of precipitation expected.
The National Weather Service warns there’s likely to be severe weather leading to disturbances throughout the regions, especially places like the Tri-Cities area, where primarily rain is expected. The forecast for Tuesday mentions shifting conditions where freezing rain will create hazardous travel across many of these territories.
The Storm Team 11 Forecast anticipates light precipitation to begin overnight, transitioning from sleet, snow, or freezing rain to plain rain throughout the day on Tuesday. Areas with chances of freezing rain will fluctuate between 50% and 90%, resulting in potentially significant accumulations of ice across the north and northeast of the viewing area.
Despite the challenges presented by this storm, there’s light at the end of the tunnel for fans of outdoor activities. The coming week looks to provide some milder conditions following the winter events, with temperatures slumping back toward the mid-30s by Friday. This weekend is lined up to be rainy again, but there are hopes for clearer skies to emerge next Monday.
Alongside these comments and predictions, it is worth noting, meteorologists are closely watching the forecast next Tuesday, which may impact both travel and event schedules for local students and commuters. While Tuesday may appear to be the day of significant snowfall, residents are advised not to rely too heavily on potential school closures or early dismissals.
The region's response to this storm showcases the unpredictable nature of winter weather. There is also anticipation surrounding the Eagles’ Super Bowl parade on Friday, coinciding with periods of favorable weather when many hope the team’s fans can partake enjoyably. Weather enthusiasts are advised to remain attentive to updates as these events develop throughout the week.